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 a great complement to a modern or cottage garden, bringing fragrance and elegance to a space. It is the gorgeous foliage and flowers that makes this Gardenia an excellent 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 wider hedge that takes longer to fill in. Be sure to use a stringline to get the line 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 grows to about 1.5 m tall and 1 m wide as a general rule. 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 regards 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 pack them carefully for our customers. The pricing is competitive and the quality is exceptional. Let us look after 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 off 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. All the time, the ball is progressively shaped until the desired size is achieved. This process can take two years (or more) to complete. If all this seems too hard or you don’t have the patience, email us at shop@theplantcompany.co.nz and the team will help 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 wetness should be avoided as the plants will struggle and are likely to fail. Heavy shade positions should be avoided also. The goal is to ensure they receive good 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 rather 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 to about 1 metre tall and wide. The key differences are therefore the flower size and overall size that it grows to. Both are amazing 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 cared for correctly. Gardenias are acid-loving plants and alkaline soils can lead to nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron chlorosis, which causes yellowing leaves. It is very important 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 the pests and diseases can easily be controlled with an appropriate agrichemical but only if levels start to impact the aesthetics and health of the plant.