Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'

What are the garden uses for Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' in NZ?

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' is a much-loved shrub that is perfect for creating garden appeal. It can be clipped into a hedge, included in a mixed planting, planted around outdoor living areas, included in tropical or “white” gardens, or maintained in a container. It is an excellent complement to a modern or cottage garden, bringing fragrance and elegance to a space. It is the gorgeous foliage and flowers that make this Gardenia a superb choice for a NZ garden.

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' hedge spacing

The optimum plant spacing for a Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' hedge is 40 cm between the plants. Spacing the plants out further will result in a broader hedge that takes longer to fill in. Be sure to use a string line to ensure the line is straight, and start lightly trimming the sides once the plants show active growth. It makes a lovely hedge between 80-120 cm tall. The best Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' hedges are achieved with trimming in spring and again in autumn.

What height does Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' grow to?

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' typically grows to approximately 1.5 m in height and 1 m in width. It tends to grow taller in partial shade conditions compared to when grown in full sun. Similarly, the size also depends on the level of trimming and how well the plant is cared for with regard to fertiliser and watering during dry periods.

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' for sale

The Plant Company has the best Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' plants for sale in NZ. Our production nurseries specialise in growing amazing plants, and our logistics team packs them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive, and the quality is exceptional. Let us take care of your Gardenia needs and impress you with both our products and service!

How to create a Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' standard

Creating a Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' topiary standard requires both patience and a straight, single-stemmed plant to start with. The plant is staked to grow with a straight trunk to just past the mid-height of the topiary (i.e., ball). All the side branches are trimmed off to about 10 cm above the mid-point of the topiary. The top of the plant is cut off just above the mid-point of the ball to encourage sprouting just below the cut. As the new stems grow, they are routinely “tipped” (i.e., the top bud is pinched out) to encourage more shoots. The ball is progressively shaped over time until the desired size is achieved. This process can take two years (or more) to complete. If all this seems too challenging or you lack the patience, email us at shop@theplantcompany.co.nz, and our team will help you find the standardised plants you desire.

What growing conditions are best for Gardenia 'Professor Pucci'?

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' grows best in full sun or partial shade on a well-drained site. It is tolerant of light frost only and does require shelter from wind. A soil rich in organic matter that does not dry out during summer is ideal. Clay soil, heavy soils, or areas with excessive moisture should be avoided, as the plants will struggle and are likely to fail. Heavy shade positions should also be avoided. The goal is to ensure they receive reasonable amounts of dappled sunlight, or about 3-4 hours of direct sun per day.

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' vs Florida – What is the difference?

The differences between Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' and Gardenia Florida are relatively subtle. Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' produces large, white flowers that are often described as having a waterlily-like or rosette shape. The double flowers from spring through autumn are approximately 8 cm in diameter and are known for their exquisite fragrance. It typically grows to a height of 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 metre wide. Gardenia Florida produces perfumed, medium-sized, white blooms from spring through autumn. It grows more compactly, reaching about 1 metre in height and width. The key differences are therefore the flower size and the overall size that it grows to. Both are excellent varieties that can be used for hedging or fabulous additions to a mixed planting.

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' care

Gardenia 'Professor Pucci' can be susceptible to various problems if not correctly cared for. Gardenias are acid-loving plants, and alkaline soils can lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron chlorosis, which causes the leaves to yellow. It is essential to make sure the soil is acidic and to use acidic fertilisers. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause problems. Overwatering leads to root rot, while underwatering causes wilting and bud drop. They need consistent moisture and a well-drained soil. Common pests include aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites. Gardenias are susceptible to fungal diseases like powdery mildew, leaf spots, anthracnose, and sooty mould. Both pests and diseases can be easily controlled with an appropriate agrichemical, but only if their levels start to impact the aesthetics and health of the plant.