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gardenia vs jasmine

When planning a New Zealand garden filled with lush greenery and sweet fragrance, many gardeners find themselves comparing two beloved shrubs: gardenia vs jasmine. Both are celebrated for their aromatic flowers and stunning foliage, but they each bring their own unique qualities to the landscape. If you’re deciding between gardenia and jasmine for your home, this guide will help highlight their differences, benefits, and ideal uses.

Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.

Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

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Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white flowers in summer. In New Zealand, it thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.

From $15.50

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum white flowers and variegated leaves.

Trachelospermum jasminoides variegatum (Variegated Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides Variegatum is a striking evergreen climber featuring glossy green leaves edged with creamy-white margins. In summer, it produces clusters of sweetly scented, star-shaped white flowers contrasting beautifully against the variegated foliage.

From $15.50

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Climbers
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Flowering time: Summer
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Arches, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, White
Abutilon megapotamicum red and yellow flower.
Abutilon megapotamicum

Abutilon megapotamicum, commonly known as Trailing Abutilon or Chinese Lantern, is a graceful shrub with arching stems and distinctive red and yellow...

From$22.95
Gardenia 'Buttons' small, white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Buttons'

Gardenia 'Buttons' (Miniature Gardenia) is a charming compact evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant creamy white flowers and glossy dark...

From$18.95
Gardenia augusta 'True Love' white flower with mid-green foliage.
Gardenia 'True Love'

Gardenia 'True Love' is a compact, evergreen shrub reaching around 60–90 cm tall and wide, perfect for adding fragrance and lush foliage to NZ...

From$18.95
Gardenia Frost Proof shrub with white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Frostproof'

Gardenia 'Frostproof' is a hardy, evergreen shrub renowned for its fragrant white flowers and glossy, dark green foliage. Reaching around 90–120 cm...

From$18.95
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' white flowers and dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Fragrant Star'

Gardenia 'Fragrant Star' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its intensely perfumed, star-shaped white flowers and glossy green foliage...

From$18.95
A Gardenia radicans shrub looking amazing with lush foliage and white flowers.
Gardenia radicans

Gardenia radicans is a compact, low-growing shrub prized for its glossy green foliage and intensely fragrant white flowers. Blooming from late spring...

From$16.95
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
Gardenia 'Golden Magic' plant featuring beautiful yellow flowers with dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Golden Magic'

Gardenia 'Golden Magic' is a unique evergreen shrub that produces highly fragrant white flowers which gradually turn golden yellow as they age...

From$18.95
Gardenia 'Veitchii' white flower against dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Veitchii'

Gardenia 'Veitchii' is a classic evergreen shrub admired for its intensely fragrant creamy white flowers and glossy dark green foliage. This elegant...

From$18.95
Gardenia augusta 'Lace Lady' shrub with green foliage and masses of white flowers.
Gardenia 'Lace Lady'

Gardenia 'Lace Lady' is a compact, evergreen shrub prized for its delicately ruffled, highly fragrant white flowers and glossy dark green foliage...

From$18.95
Gardenia florida spectacular white flower amidst dark green foliage.
Gardenia 'Florida'

Gardenia florida is a compact, evergreen shrub renowned for its glossy, green foliage and richly fragrant, white blooms that appear from late spring...

From$18.95
azalea-gardenia-supreme-
Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme'

Azalea 'Gardenia Supreme' is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its large elegant blooms and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering generously...

From$15.95
An elegant Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' white flower.
Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a stunning evergreen shrub known for its exceptionally large, fragrant white blooms and glossy green foliage. Flowering...

From$18.95
Lomandra Lime Tuff in a garden showing elegant foliage.
Lomandra Lime Tuff

Lomandra 'Lime Tuff' is a hardy evergreen ornamental grass valued for its vibrant lime green foliage and compact tidy growth habit. This versatile...

From$17.87
Muehlenbeckia axillaris growing as a ground cover.
Muehlenbeckia axillaris (Creeping Wire Vine)

Muehlenbeckia axillaris, commonly known as Creeping Wire Vine, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover with wiry stems and small, dark green...

From$20.01
Dietes iridioides (African Iris) flowers amidst dark green foliage.
Dietes iridioides (African Iris)

Dietes iridioides, commonly known as the African Iris or Fortnight Lily, is a hardy, evergreen perennial native to southern Africa. It features...

From$17.87
Gardenia jasminoides (Cape Jasmine) elegant white flower amidst dark green foliage.
Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenia jasminoides, commonly known as Cape Jasmine, is a classic evergreen shrub prized for its intensely fragrant, creamy-white flowers and rich...

OUT OF STOCK
Trachelospermum asiaticum with lush green leaves and white flowers.
Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine)

Trachelospermum asiaticum, commonly known as Asiatic Jasmine, is an evergreen climber known for its glossy green leaves and fragrant white flowers...

OUT OF STOCK
Gardenia augusta with a white flower and dark green foliage.
Gardenia augusta

Gardenia augusta, also known as Cape Jasmine, is a popular evergreen shrub admired for its glossy green leaves and highly fragrant, creamy-white...

OUT OF STOCK
jasminum-mesnyi-1
Jasminum mesnyi (Primrose Jasmine)

Jasminum mesnyi, commonly known as Primrose Jasmine or Japanese Jasmine, is a scrambling shrub with amazing flowers and fragrance. It features dark...

OUT OF STOCK
Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine) bordering steps to a house.
Jasminum polyanthum (Pink Jasmine)

Jasminum polyanthum, commonly known as Pink Jasmine, is a climber that produces masses of beautiful, pink and white, highly scented flowers through...

OUT OF STOCK
jasminum-beesianum-
Jasminum beesianum (Beesianum Jasmine)

Jasminum beesianum is a red flowering variety with perfumed fragrance as just one of the many attributes this variety delivers. It features rich...

OUT OF STOCK
Jasminum sambac vine with white flowers and dark green foliage.
Jasminum sambac (Arabian Jasmine)

Jasminum sambac, commonly known as Arabian Jasmine, is a highly fragrant evergreen shrub or vine treasured for its clusters of white, star shaped...

OUT OF STOCK
Jasminum angulare plant with white flowers.
Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine)

Jasminum angulare is an elegant evergreen climber grown for its glossy green foliage and masses of fragrant white flowers. It brings beauty and...

OUT OF STOCK
Jasminum azoricum elegant white flowers.
Jasminum azoricum (Azores Jasmine)

Jasminum azoricum, commonly known as Azores Jasmine, features a lovely fragrance among other fantastic attributes. It features rich, green leaves on...

OUT OF STOCK
Trachelospermum Tricolour plants with highly colourful foliage in a garden border.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Tricolour (Tricolour Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Tricolour’ is a stunning evergreen climber or groundcover ideal for New Zealand gardens. Its foliage displays a vibrant...

OUT OF STOCK
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Wilsonii' green and purple foliage.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Wilsonii (Wilson Star Jasmine)

Trachelospermum jasminoides ‘Wilsonii’ is a vigorous, evergreen climber prized for its smaller, glossy green leaves and profusion of fragrant, white...

OUT OF STOCK
Trachelospermum asiaticum Golden Memories plant with yellow flowers and lush, green foliage.
Trachelospermum Golden Memories (Asiatic Jasmine)

Trachelospermum Golden Memories is a striking evergreen climber known for its vibrant foliage and sweetly scented flowers. The leaves emerge...

OUT OF STOCK
dipladenia-red-riding-hood-
Dipladenia 'Red Riding Hood' (Brazilian Jasmine)

Dipladenia 'Red Riding Hood', commonly known as Brazilian Jasmine, is a stunning evergreen climber celebrated for its vivid red trumpet shaped...

OUT OF STOCK
murraya-exotica-4
Murraya exotica

Murraya exotica (Orange Jessamine, Orange Jasmine) is a fragrant evergreen shrub known for its glossy green foliage and clusters of small white...

OUT OF STOCK
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Abutilon, Gardenia, and Trachelospermum, or related Categories - Acid Loving Plants, Evergreen Climbers, and Groundcover Plants.

Search gardenia vs jasmine

Appearance: Contrasting Blooms and Foliage

When it comes to beauty, both gardenias and jasmines are show-stoppers. Gardenias, such as Gardenia jasminoides and Gardenia augusta, are famous for their classic, creamy-white blooms nestled against deep green, glossy leaves. These flowers are typically double-petaled and have a luxurious, full look.

Jasmines, on the other hand, vary in form from the delicate white stars of Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine) to the cheerful yellow blossoms of Jasminum mesnyi (Primrose Jasmine). Foliage can range from fine and airy to more substantial, depending on the species. Some, like Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine), even offer attractive variegated leaves.

Fragrance: Sweet and Timeless Scents

The heady fragrance of gardenia vs jasmine is often the main reason gardeners choose one over the other. Gardenias produce a rich, creamy aroma that perfumes the surrounding air—perfect for patios or near entries where the scent can be appreciated. Meanwhile, jasmine is cherished for its sweet, unmistakable scent that lingers especially during the evening. Varieties like South African Jasmine and Primrose Jasmine offer slightly different notes, but all carry the signature jasmine sweetness.

Growing Conditions and Care

When deciding between gardenia vs jasmine, it’s wise to consider your local conditions. Gardenias prefer slightly acidic, well-drained soil and thrive in a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade. They can be a little fussy with temperature fluctuations and benefit from regular feeding.

Jasmines are generally more forgiving. Varieties such as Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine) and Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine) tolerate a range of soils and are less sensitive to pH. Many jasmines are robust climbers or rambling shrubs and will reward you with abundant blooms with minimal attention.

Landscape Uses and Versatility

Both gardenia and jasmine are versatile in garden design. Gardenias create elegant focal points as specimen shrubs or in containers flanking entranceways. Jasmines excel on trellises, along fences, and even as groundcovers. If you’re after an evergreen climber with year-round interest, Asiatic Jasmine is a durable choice.

Making Your Choice: Gardenia vs Jasmine

Ultimately, the decision of gardenia vs jasmine comes down to personal preference and site conditions. For sophisticated, iconic blooms and intense perfume, Gardenia jasminoides and Gardenia augusta are hard to beat. For ease of care, extended flowering, or climbing beauty, consider Trachelospermum asiaticum (Asiatic Jasmine), Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine), or Jasminum mesnyi (Primrose Jasmine).

Both plants will reward you with beautiful blooms and fragrance, ensuring your New Zealand garden is a place of pure delight.

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.

Illustration of plant leaves.
While Magnolia stellata 'Waterlily' and Lomandra Lime Tuff are household names, Pittosporum 'Limelight' (Kohuhu), Feijoa 'Apollo', and Cornus alba 'Sibirica' are rising stars in the plant world.
–The Plant Company

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