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port wine magnolia new zealand

The port wine magnolia New Zealand gardeners love is a timeless addition to Kiwi gardens, prized for its compact habit, glossy evergreen foliage, and intoxicatingly sweet, port wine-scented blooms. Also known as Michelia figo, this versatile shrub brings elegance and year-round interest to landscapes across the country. Whether you’re seeking privacy hedging, an aromatic screening plant, or a showpiece for your outdoor space, the port wine magnolia thrives in diverse New Zealand climates and soils, making it a standout choice for a range of garden styles.

A Michelia figo (Port Wine Magnolia) plant with pink blushed flowers and dark green foliage.

Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia)

5 from 2 customers

Michelia figo, commonly known as the Port Wine Magnolia, is a compact evergreen tree prized for its delightfully fragrant, cream-white flowers and glossy foliage. Ideal for hedging, screening, or as a specimen tree, it brings year-round beauty and subtle perfume to New Zealand gardens. This hardy and low-maintenance plant thrives in well-drained soil and adds elegance to both formal and informal landscapes.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Trees
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 2.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Tolerances: Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Ajuga 'Port Wine' plant in a pot for sale at The Plant Company.

Ajuga 'Port Wine'

Ajuga 'Port Wine' brings deep wine coloured foliage and vivid blue flower spikes to NZ gardens, creating a rich tapestry of colour in shaded and semi shaded areas. This hardy ground cover spreads steadily to form a dense carpet that suppresses weeds and adds year round interest. It is ideal for borders, underplanting trees, or filling gaps between shrubs. Ajuga 'Port Wine' is an easy care plant that offers striking colour and dependable performance.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Groundcover Plants
Height: 20 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Ground covering, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical, Woodland
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Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Ajuga, Hemerocallis, Magnolia Michelia and Weigela, or related Categories - Groundcover Plants, Perennials, Deciduous Shrubs Evergreen Trees and Magnolia Trees.

Search port wine magnolia

Why Choose Port Wine Magnolia in New Zealand Gardens?

The port wine magnolia New Zealand plant enthusiasts adore is beloved for several reasons. Originating from Southwest China but flourishing in New Zealand’s temperate regions, this shrub can grow up to 3 metres tall with minimal fuss. It’s particularly popular for its densely-packed leaves and the small, chocolate-purple flowers that erupt throughout spring and summer, infusing the air with their signature port wine and banana fragrance.

Port wine magnolia is notably tolerant of pruning, easily shaped as a formal hedge or left untrimmed for a natural look. Hardy and resistant to common pests and diseases, it’s an excellent low-maintenance option—perfect for busy home gardeners or those new to landscaping.

If you’re interested in adding this exquisite plant to your garden, the Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia) is an excellent choice to start with.

How and Where to Grow Port Wine Magnolia in New Zealand

Planting port wine magnolia New Zealand-wide is wonderfully straightforward. It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained, slightly acidic soil, though it adapts well to a variety of conditions. In colder regions, a sheltered site will protect the flower buds from late frosts and encourage robust growth. Water newly-established plants regularly and mulch to maintain moisture during dry spells.

Port wine magnolia fits beautifully in mixed shrub borders, as an evergreen screen, or even in large containers. For those seeking complementary plants, the Magnolia Old Port offers bold, goblet-shaped blooms, and Magnolia liliiflora (Lily Magnolia) lends a splash of dramatic colour in spring.

Fragrance-Filled Companion Plants

To highlight the beauty and aroma of the port wine magnolia New Zealand gardeners choose, consider pairing it with other robust, visually-appealing selections. Groundcovers like Ajuga 'Port Wine' provide colourful, low-maintenance foliage beneath shrubs and trees. For more evergreen structure and compact flowering form, Hebe Wiri Port is a superb addition to any New Zealand garden.

Order Your Port Wine Magnolia Today

Ready to add lasting structure and captivating fragrance to your landscape? The port wine magnolia New Zealand gardeners rely on is ready to thrive in your home garden. View our range, including the classic Michelia figo (Portwine Magnolia), and enjoy expert-selected plants delivered fresh across the country. Let your garden flourish with elegance and aromatic appeal, season after season.


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

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