Gardenia

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Common Name

Gardenia

Scientific Name

Gardenia

Plant Category

Perennial

Location

Africa, Southern Asia, Australasia and Oceania

Height

3-15 inches

Width

3-6 inches

Blooming Season

Mid spring to mid summer

Plant Habit

Upright

Color

White or pale yellow

Sun

Partial shade to full sun

Soil

Acidic soil with good drainage

Water

Moderate

Plant Characteristics

Very strongly scented. Heat-loving evergreen shrubs.

Usage

Used in screens, hedges, borders or ground covers. Makes excellent cut flowers.

Information

Gardenia is a genus of about 250 species of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae. Gardenias are one of the most popular exotic flowers. They are very fragrant creamy-white flowers and have glossy, dark-green leaves. The leaves are simple, entire, and hairless, with wavy margin. Gardenias flowers are solitary or in small clusters, white or pale yellow. The gardenia flowers are with a tubular-based corolla with 5-12 lobes petals from 5-12 cm diameter. Each gardenia flower is followed by 6-sided berries of rich orange-red with long, elegant stems. The most popular cultivated species is the Cape jasmine.

Growing Tips

Gardenia plants require high humidity and they do best in loose, well-drained organic soils. Gardenias should be planted in full sun or partial shade. Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and then mix one part soil and one part planting mix. Prepackaged acid based planting mixes that are prepared especially for gardenias, camellias and azaleas will enhance their growth. The top of the original root ball should be slightly above the level of the surrounding soil. Take the soil mixture and make a gentle mound of soil sloping away from the plant. Feed the plants every three weeks during the growing season with a rhododendron-azalea food, or acidifying fertilizer. Prune in early spring to shape the bush, and deadhead after flowering to encourage more flowering.

Common Problems

Care must be taken not to overwater gardenias. The main problem of gardenias is bud drop so it is important to check the plants. Also, check periodically for white flies and mealy bugs, using a horticultural oil or insecticidal soap to control these pests. In regions where the plant is marginally hardy, protect bushes from hard freezes and drying winter winds.