michelia varieties

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
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Michelia varieties are celebrated throughout New Zealand gardens for their enchanting fragrance, glossy evergreen foliage, and elegant blooms. As members of the magnolia family, michelias are prized for their versatility and year-round interest. If you’re seeking a flowering tree that combines beauty, structure, and an alluring scent, exploring the diversity of michelia varieties is a fantastic place to start. Below, discover the most popular types grown in New Zealand, their unique features, and planting tips from garden experts.

Michelia gracipes

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Michelia gracipes, commonly known as the Banana Shrub, is a compact evergreen shrub prized for its glossy foliage and highly fragrant, creamy-yellow flowers that emit a sweet banana scent. Blooming in spring and summer, it adds both ornamental beauty and perfume to the garden. Ideal for borders, containers, or formal hedging, it thrives in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil. This low-maintenance plant is a superb choice for sheltered gardens across New Zealand.

Buy Michelia gracipes

From $34.43

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Winter

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Michelia 'Touch of Pink'

Michelia 'Touch of Pink' is a beautiful evergreen shrub admired for its glossy green foliage and masses of fragrant pink toned flowers. Blooming over a long season, this elegant michelia adds colour, fragrance, and year round structure to New Zealand gardens. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for hedging, screening, feature planting, and containers where a refined evergreen appearance is desired. Michelia 'Touch of Pink' is hardy, easy to maintain, and highly valued for its lush foliage, scented flowers, and strong performance in modern landscapes.

Buy Michelia 'Touch of Pink'

From $515.35

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Trees

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 2.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Winter

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

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Why Choose Michelia Varieties?

Michelia varieties offer an array of advantages for both experienced gardeners and those new to landscaping. Their compact growing habit suits urban spaces, and most michelias thrive in well-drained, sheltered locations. Many types flower from late winter through spring, filling the garden with perfume when little else is in bloom. Their evergreen leaves provide structure and privacy in garden borders, and michelias are often used as specimen trees, hedges, or screening plants. Whether you crave showy white, pink, or creamy blooms, there’s a michelia suited to your landscape.

Popular Michelia Varieties in New Zealand

Michelia Bubbles

A favourite among Kiwi gardeners, Michelia Bubbles boasts masses of cream-coloured flowers with a crisp citrus fragrance. It’s a compact, upright tree ideal for hedging or planting as a feature specimen. The glossy foliage remains vibrant year-round, making it a reliable choice for privacy screens.

Magnolia Pink Pearl (Michelia Pink Pearl)

With large, deep-pink blooms that brighten spring gardens, Magnolia Pink Pearl (Michelia Pink Pearl) offers a striking floral display. This variety creates a focal point in any landscape, and its flowers have a delightful scent. It's perfect for smaller gardens and sunny borders.

Michelia yunnanensis

If you appreciate subtle beauty, Michelia yunnanensis is sure to impress. Clusters of creamy-white flowers with a sweet perfume appear from late winter. Its dense, bushy habit is excellent for hedging, and the foliage stays lush in all seasons.

Michelia Touch of Pink

The elegant Michelia Touch of Pink features soft, pale-pink blossoms with a delicate fragrance. This variety is highly sought after for its gentle colour and compact form, adding grace to patios and garden beds.

Michelia 'Paton Pink'

For vibrant colour and beautiful form, Michelia 'Paton Pink' stands out. Its large pink flowers are both visually stunning and deeply scented. It works well as a feature plant or as a dense screen for privacy.

Growing Tips for Michelia Varieties

Michelia varieties thrive in well-drained, fertile soil and prefer a position with protection from harsh winds. Plant in spring or autumn for best results. Mulch annually to retain moisture and enrich the soil, and prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant. Michelias are generally low maintenance but benefit from regular watering during dry spells.

Enhance Your Garden with Michelia Varieties

Choosing the right michelia varieties can transform your outdoor space with fragrance, colour, and evergreen charm. Whether you prefer the striking pink blooms of Michelia 'Paton Pink', the classic elegance of Michelia Bubbles, or the subtle charm of Michelia yunnanensis, there’s a michelia perfect for every NZ garden. Explore our wide selection and find the ideal tree to suit your landscape and lifestyle.

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.