Gardenias are one of the most popular fragrant flowering shrubs and are well suited to growing in the garden border or in pots and containers.
Regarded as hardy in Zones 8-10, however in cooler area they can be grown in containers and provided shelter indoors or on an enclosed patio they can flourish.
A gardenia bouquet is perhaps one of the most elegant of all and you can grow your own flowers for a wonderful fragrant and elegant bouquet.
You need to look for the longer stemmed larger flowering varieties, not the dwarf cultivars and you will also need to protect the flowers from rain before picking.
Make sure that you take enough foliage to provide a nice backing. and try wrapping this stems in a white material to add further refinement. Of course you could just buy one from the florist, but growing your own is real something special.
Gardenia Care
Gardenias prefer a temperate to warm climate with a little humidity. Generally they are regarded as suitable to USDA Zones 10 – 11, however they can be grown to Zone 7 if grown in a sunny protected position.
In cooler areas look for a warm position against a wall or in a pot on a patio. Gardenia prefer a humus rich well drained slightly acidic soil.
Protection from hot afternoon sun in warmer areas is advisable. Gardenias like a cool root run so mulch well during warmer months.
Gardenias can be pruned to shape after flowering if required. Remember to water the soil and not the foliage.
Fertilizing Gardenias.
Many gardeners find that an all purpose fertilizer does not seem to be adequate for gardenia plants, this is usually to do with soil pH.
Gardenias prefer a slightly acid soil with a pH of 5-6. We suggest using a specially formulated gardenia fertilizer at all times.
Watering Gardenias
Although Gardenias prefer a humus rich moist soil, they do not like to be water logged, so a free draining soil is best.
Gardenia Varieties
Gardenias come in a number of species and forms including low growing varieties that make excellent edging plants
- Gardenia radicans a low growing species is more tolerant of colder climates than other species. (picture above right)
- Gardenia augusta ‘Radicans’ is a prostrate form (even lower growing), well suited to low garden borders.
- Gardenia thunbergia will grow to be a large shrub and is a stunning garden plant.
- Gardenia tubifera (Golden Gardenia) is form South East Asia and has attractive golden yellow flowers.
- Gardenia Jasminoides ‘August Beauty’ has very attractive large flowers in a compact bush, an excellent gardenia for cut flowers.
- Gardenia jasminoides veitchii has smaller leaves than some species and will grow to 4′, suitable to Zones 8-11.
- Gardenia jasminoides kliems hardy is a dwarf variety that has glossy dark green foliage and ivory flowers in late summer Zones 7-10.
- Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is reportedly used in Chinese medicine.
- Gardenia taitensis requires a warm climate, flowers are interesting but perhaps not as spectacular as others.
- Gardenia Veitchii will reach 4 – 5 ft and is an outstanding fragrant plant for warmer areas.
Propagation
Propagation is easy by taking softwood cuttings in late spring, semi hardwood cuttings in fall are also suitable, best wintered in a cold frame.
Gardenia Problems
- Yellow leaves on Gardenias
Usually caused by poor nutrient balance, fertilize during spring to avoid this and water regularly during warmer months. White oil can be used if scale or mealybugs is a problem. - Bud Drop on Gardenias
Usually caused by irregular watering, so not to wet and not to dry. Every second to third day during warmer months depending on soil, and local conditions. - Sooty Mold on Gardenias.
Caused by aphids, scales and white-fly. Neem oil or White Oil can be used to treat Sooty Mold. Be sure to follow the manufactures instructions. These are very general care instructions.
Consult your local nursery for detailed and specific care instructions for Gardenia.
