Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

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: 10.00 m
Spread: 5.00 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: 12.00 m
Spread: 8.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy, Wind
Garden uses: Parks, Specimen
Garden styles: Alpine, Japanese, Tropical
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue' speciment tree.
Pittosporum 'Wrinkled Blue'

Pittosporum ‘Wrinkled Blue’ is an attractive, upright evergreen tree known for its distinctive blue-grey foliage and dense, columnar growth habit...

From$22.01
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
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
A Rosemary 'Blue Lagoon' shrub with blue flowers in a mixed planting.
Rosmarinus 'Blue Lagoon'

Rosmarinus ‘Blue Lagoon’ is a hardy, evergreen shrub prized for its aromatic foliage and vibrant deep blue flowers. Blooming from late winter through...

From$22.01
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$17.95
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
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone' shrubs with green foliage in pots.
Thuja orientalis 'Blue Cone'

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

From$289.95
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$18.95
Agapanthus 'Blue Finn' blue flower.
Agapanthus 'Blue Finn'

Agapanthus 'Blue Finn' is a compact, evergreen variety prized for its deep blue blooms and tidy, clumping habit. This hardy perennial adds a burst of...

From$22.95
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$22.01
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
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
Rhododendron 'Kaponga' red flowers.
Rhododendron 'Kaponga'

Rhododendron 'Kaponga' is a beautiful evergreen shrub prized for its impressive spring flowering display and lush dark green foliage. The vibrant...

From$28.91
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer' stunning pink flowers.
Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer'

Rhododendron 'Christmas Cheer' is a highly prized evergreen shrub renowned for its masses of soft pink flowers that appear from late winter into...

From$28.91
rhododendron-kings-cerise-
Rhododendron 'Kings Cerise'

Rhododendron 'King’s Cerise' is a magnificent evergreen shrub prized for its vibrant cerise pink flowers and attractive dark green foliage. During...

From$37.19
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
Rhododendron 'Senora Meldon' purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Senora Meldon'

Rhododendron 'Senora Meldon' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and attractive dark green foliage. During...

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
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
Salvia 'Merleau Blue' plant in a garden with blue flowers and green foliage.
Salvia 'Merleau Blue' (Blue Sage)

Salvia 'Merleau Blue' is a compact perennial admired for its prolific deep blue flower spikes that appear from late spring through autumn in New...

OUT OF STOCK
bacopa-blue-showers-2
Bacopa 'Blue Showers' (Blue Bacopa)

Bacopa 'Blue Showers' is a beautiful trailing perennial admired for its abundance of soft blue flowers that create a colourful display over a long...

OUT OF STOCK
Lavender 'Sensation Blue' shrub with purple flowers above dark green foliage.
Lavender 'Sensation Blue'

Lavender 'Sensation Blue' is a standout lavender variety admired for its deep blue purple blooms and aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering from...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhododendron Colonel Coen purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Colonel Coen'

Rhododendron 'Colonel Coen' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its impressive flowering display and attractive dark green foliage. During...

OUT OF STOCK
carex-blue-cascade-
Carex 'Blue Cascade' (Blue Sedge Grass)

Carex 'Blue Cascade' is a striking ornamental grass valued for its flowing blue grey foliage and graceful cascading habit. This evergreen sedge adds...

OUT OF STOCK
rhododendron-anah-kruschke--1
Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke'

Rhododendron 'Anah Kruschke' is a magnificent evergreen shrub renowned for its large trusses of rich purple flowers and dense dark green foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhododendron 'Ramapo' purple flowers.
Rhododendron 'Ramapo'

Rhododendron 'Ramapo' is a compact evergreen rhododendron valued for its masses of lavender purple flowers and attractive small foliage. Flowering...

OUT OF STOCK
rhododendron-gwenevere-
Rhododendron 'Gwenevere'

Rhododendron 'Gwenevere' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its elegant flowers and lush dark green foliage. During spring, the blooms create...

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.


Contact us

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

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

466 Google reviews