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blue rhododendron

The blue rhododendron is a true gem for New Zealand gardens, captivating plant lovers and landscapers with its unique hues and lush evergreen foliage. While truly blue flowers are rare in the rhododendron family, several cultivars provide striking blue shades ranging from soft sky tones to deep, velvety indigo. If you're searching for dramatic colour, easy-care maintenance, and a hardy shrub to enhance shade or woodland settings, the blue rhododendron is an exceptional choice.

Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' hedge.

Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' (Blue Tōtara)

5 from 1 customers

Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue', also known as Blue Totara, is a stunning New Zealand native tree prized for its striking blue-green foliage and tidy growth habit. It makes an exceptional feature or screening plant that brings colour and texture to the garden all year round.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 2.50 m
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Hedging, Parks, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Native
Large Jacaranda mimosifolia tree with blue flowers.

Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda)

5 from 1 customers

Jacaranda mimosifolia, commonly known as the Blue Jacaranda tree, is a tropical-looking tree that is widely planted because of its beautiful and long-lasting blue flowers. Loose clusters of the deep blue-mauve flowers are borne across the tree through spring and summer.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Trees
Height: 7.50 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Tropical
Myosotidium hortensia (Chatham Island Forget Me Not) plant with lush green foliage and stunning blue flowers.
Myosotidium hortensia (Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not)

Myosotidium hortensia, commonly known as the Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not, is a distinctive and recognisable NZ native. The plants have large...

From$16.95
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca' (Blue Atlas Cedar) large specimen tree in a park.
Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca'

Cedrus atlantica 'Glauca', also known as Blue Atlas Cedar, is a striking evergreen conifer ideal for New Zealand gardens. Its silvery-blue needles...

From$340.69
Salvia 'Aztec Blue' plants with elegant blue flowers above green foliage.
Salvia 'Aztec Blue'

Salvia 'Aztec Blue' is an eye catching perennial admired for its bold cobalt blue flower spikes that bloom heavily from late spring through autumn in...

From$27.53
A Picea pungens 'Glauca' (Colorado Blue Spruce) tree.
Picea pungens 'Glauca'

Picea pungens 'Glauca', commonly known as the Colorado Blue Spruce, is a blue coloured conifer that grows with a broad and open, pyramidal shape. The...

From$515.35
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' shrubs with green foliage in pots.
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'

Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' is a dwarf conifer that features dense and erect sprays of green foliage. It gets its name from the blue cones produced...

From$289.95
A Teucrium fruticans rounded shrub with grey foliage and blue flowers.
Teucrium fruticans

Teucrium fruticans (Bush Germander) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its attractive silvery foliage and soft blue flowers that appear through...

From$18.95
cupressus-blue-ice-4
Cupressus 'Blue Ice' (Blue Arizona Cypress)

Cupressus 'Blue Ice' is a striking evergreen conifer admired for its vibrant icy blue foliage and strong upright growth habit. This hardy tree...

From$270.40
Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' plants with lush green foliage and stunning blue flowers.
Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' (Lily Of The Nile)

Agapanthus 'Peter Pan' is a compact evergreen perennial valued for its tidy clumping habit and masses of soft blue flowers held just above the...

From$16.95
hosta-blue-mouse-ears--5
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a compact perennial prized for its rounded blue green foliage and tidy growth habit. It is an excellent choice for adding...

From$24.77
Westringia 'Blue Gem' low hedge with elegant mauve coloured flowers.
Westringia 'Blue Gem'

Westringia 'Blue Gem' is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its fine grey green foliage, naturally dense rounded habit, and masses of soft blue...

From$19.95
dichroa-blue-stars--1
Dichroa 'Blue Stars' (Evergreen Hydrangea)

Dichroa 'Blue Stars' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its clusters of intense blue star shaped flowers followed by brilliant metallic blue...

From$30.29
An upright Rosemary 'Tuscan Blue' shrub with blue flowers in a Mediterranean themed garden.
Rosmarinus 'Tuscan Blue'

The 'Tuscan Blue' Rosemary is a fast-growing and upright variety that features petite, sky-blue flowers borne amidst the dark green leaves through...

From$22.95
juncus-blue-dart-
Juncus 'Blue Dart' (Blue Rush)

Juncus 'Blue Dart' is a striking ornamental rush prized for its upright blue green foliage and strong architectural form. This hardy evergreen plant...

From$18.29
festuca-banks-peninsula-blue-1
Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' (Blue Fescue Grass)

Festuca 'Banks Peninsula Blue' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its fine, steel blue foliage that forms neat, compact clumps. This hardy...

From$14.49
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue) grass growing in a garden.
Festuca coxii (Blue Fescue)

Festuca coxii, commonly known as Blue Fescue, is a hardy NZ native, ornamental grass that features fine, blue foliage. Straw-coloured seed heads...

From$14.49
rhododendron-mount-everest-
Rhododendron 'Mt Everest'

Rhododendron 'Mt Everest' is a magnificent evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and lush dark green foliage. During spring...

From$64.79
eucalyptus-baby-blue-2
Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' (Silver Gum)

Eucalyptus 'Baby Blue' is a highly popular evergreen tree admired for its stunning silver blue foliage and strong ornamental appeal. The rounded...

From$408.85
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' plant with blue flowers.
Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' (Catmint)

Nepeta 'Blue Wonder' is a compact catmint with aromatic silvery green foliage and rich blue flower spikes through the warmer months. The rounded...

From$17.87
hydrangea-macrophylla-blue-wave-2
Hydrangea 'Blue Wave'

Hydrangea 'Blue Wave' is a stunning lacecap hydrangea known for its vibrant blue flower centres surrounded by delicate outer florets. Flowering...

From$36.95
Rhododendron 'Black Magic' stunning, dark red flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Rhododendron 'Black Magic'

Rhododendron 'Black Magic' is a striking evergreen shrub renowned for its rich, dramatic flowers and glossy dark green foliage. During spring, the...

From$28.91
Blueberry 'Powder Blue' blue berries with lush, green foliage.
Blueberry 'Powder Blue'

Blueberry 'Powder Blue' is a late season blueberry variety valued for its sweet flavour, firm berries, and extended harvest period. This reliable...

From$27.95
rhododendron-glenfalloch-blue-
Rhododendron 'Glenfalloch Blue'

Rhododendron 'Glenfalloch Blue' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its beautiful blue toned flowers and attractive dark green foliage. During...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhododendron Blue Admiral plant with blue flowers.
Rhododendron 'Blue Admiral'

Rhododendron 'Blue Admiral' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its beautiful blue toned flowers and attractive dark green foliage. During...

OUT OF STOCK
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter' plants with fine and elegant, blue foliage.
Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter'

Pimelea prostrata 'Blue Peter', commonly known as Pinatoro or the NZ Daphne plant, is a mat-forming, NZ native, ground cover plant. It has small...

OUT OF STOCK
perovskia-atriplicifolia--1
Perovskia atriplicifolia

Perovskia atriplicifolia, commonly known as Russian Sage, is a striking perennial admired for its airy spikes of lavender blue flowers and aromatic...

OUT OF STOCK
Aquilegia Blue Barlow cluster of blue flowers.
Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow' (Columbine)

Aquilegia 'Blue Barlow' is a classic perennial admired for its elegant double deep blue flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. This...

OUT OF STOCK
Dianella Revelation plants growing in a garden.
Dianella 'Revelation'

Dianella 'Revelation' features flower stems that rise above the foliage through spring and summer to bear masses of delicate, blue flowers, which...

OUT OF STOCK
Salvia chamaedryoides plant with blue flowers and grey-green foliage.
Salvia chamaedryoides

Salvia chamaedryoides (Oak Sage) is a beautiful evergreen perennial admired for its silvery grey foliage and brilliant blue flowers that bloom over a...

OUT OF STOCK
Plumbago auriculata vine with blue flowers growing over a wall.
Plumbago auriculata

Plumbago auriculata is a hardy, fast-growing climber prized for its abundant clusters of bright blue flowers. Perfect for adding vibrant colour to...

OUT OF STOCK
felicia-blue-jay-
Felicia 'Blue Jay' (Blue Daisy)

Felicia 'Blue Jay' is a compact perennial prized for its vibrant sky blue daisy flowers with bright yellow centres. Flowering generously through...

OUT OF STOCK
Podocarpus 'Matapouri Blue' (Blue Tōtara)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agapanthus, Cedrus, and Cupressus, or related Categories - Conifer Shrubs, Conifer Trees, and Perennials.

Search blue rhododendron

Why Choose a Blue Rhododendron?

Blue rhododendrons stand out for their breath-taking blooms and the way they illuminate spring with cool, soothing tones. These vibrant shrubs deliver weeks of colour above glossy, dark green leaves. They thrive throughout much of New Zealand, especially in sheltered sites with dappled light and acidic, free-draining soil. With regular moisture and a thick mulch of leaf litter, blue rhododendron varieties will reward you with reliable performance year after year.

Top Blue Rhododendron Varieties for New Zealand Gardens

Among the most admired selections are the Rhododendron Glenfalloch Blue, known for its prolific trusses of clear blue flowers and compact growth, and the Rhododendron Blue Admiral, which features large, deep blue-purple blooms with a hint of ruby in the throat. Both options make extraordinary specimens, hedges, or foundation shrubs, adding structure and colour to your garden design.

Perfect Plant Combinations

Pairing a blue rhododendron with companion plants can create harmonious and contrasting displays all year round. For a layered blue palette, consider planting with Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda), an elegant small tree with feathery foliage and spectacular blue-lavender spring flowers. Podocarpus Matapouri Blue (Blue Tōtara) offers architectural structure, rich green-blue needles, and a New Zealand native backdrop to your shrub border.

Groundcovers like Dianella Blue Twist complement blue rhododendron beautifully, providing grassy texture and deep blue berries, while helping suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Caring for Blue Rhododendron

To encourage lush growth and abundant blooms, situate your blue rhododendron in a position with morning sun and afternoon shade. Avoid locations exposed to harsh winds or full midday sun which can scorch leaves and blooms. Regular watering, particularly in dry periods, and a yearly feed with fertiliser for acid-loving plants will keep your rhododendron healthy and vibrant.

Mulching with pine bark or leaf litter mimics their natural forest environment and supports strong root development. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and remove spent flower heads to direct energy back into the plant.

Add a Splash of Blue to Your Garden

The blue rhododendron has earned its place in Kiwi gardens thanks to its unique shade, reliable growth, and spectacular spring display. Explore our range including Rhododendron Glenfalloch Blue and Rhododendron Blue Admiral, and discover how easy it is to create an unforgettable blue-themed garden with carefully chosen companion plants like Jacaranda mimosifolia (Blue Jacaranda), Podocarpus Matapouri Blue (Blue Tōtara), and Dianella Blue Twist.

Plant a blue rhododendron this season and enjoy a burst of rare beauty in your New Zealand outdoor space for years to come.


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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

–The Plant Company

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