Flowers and Plants
Gardening Guides
Gardenias Fill Gardens With Fragrance and Charm
These sweet-smelling, warm-weather-loving evergreens are the go-to flower for Southern gardeners and belles
Fragrance is the first word that comes to mind when gardenias (Gardenia jasminoides) are mentioned, for reasons obvious to anyone who has ever caught a whiff of them in bloom. Gardenias may have made a name for themselves as the flower of the South, but they’re also a favorite in other areas where temperatures don’t drop too low in winter. Although they may be a bit fussier than other shrubs, their flowers and foliage make them worth the effort.
Distinguishing traits. Prolific and fragrant spring and summer blooms in shades of white appear on a dense evergreen shrub with shiny, deep green leaves. Petals may be long or rounded on single or double flower forms. Growers are just starting to introduce new colors.
How to use it. Plant gardenias where you can enjoy their fragrance. Use them as specimen plants, as a screen or in garden beds with other acid-soil-loving plants. They’re also standout plants for an evening or moonlit garden.
Taller varieties, such as ‘Aimee Yoshioka’, ‘Belmont’, ‘Glazierii’, ‘Mary Ann’, ‘Miami Supreme’ and ‘Mystery’, can be grown as a hedge. Smaller varieties do well as container plants on patios and decks or by entrances to homes. These include ‘Aimee’, ‘August Beauty’, ‘Chuck Hayes’, ‘Daisy’, ‘Frostproof’, ‘Grif’s Select’, Pinwheel, ‘Summer Snow’ and ‘Veitchii’.
The lowest-growing varieties can be used as a ground cover. Among the most commonly available small gardenias are ‘Golden Magic’, ‘Kimurza Shikazaki’ (‘Four Seasons’), ‘Kleim’s Hardy’, ‘White Gem’ and the very tiny ‘Radicans’ (‘Prostrata’).
Gardenia blooms make excellent cut flowers, and those with double blossoms have traditionally been used as bouttonieres.
Learn more about moonlit gardens
Taller varieties, such as ‘Aimee Yoshioka’, ‘Belmont’, ‘Glazierii’, ‘Mary Ann’, ‘Miami Supreme’ and ‘Mystery’, can be grown as a hedge. Smaller varieties do well as container plants on patios and decks or by entrances to homes. These include ‘Aimee’, ‘August Beauty’, ‘Chuck Hayes’, ‘Daisy’, ‘Frostproof’, ‘Grif’s Select’, Pinwheel, ‘Summer Snow’ and ‘Veitchii’.
The lowest-growing varieties can be used as a ground cover. Among the most commonly available small gardenias are ‘Golden Magic’, ‘Kimurza Shikazaki’ (‘Four Seasons’), ‘Kleim’s Hardy’, ‘White Gem’ and the very tiny ‘Radicans’ (‘Prostrata’).
Gardenia blooms make excellent cut flowers, and those with double blossoms have traditionally been used as bouttonieres.
Learn more about moonlit gardens
Planting notes. Plant gardenias in acidic soil (pH 5 to 6.5) that retains moisture but doesn’t stay soggy. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost and peat moss, especially if your soil is neutral or alkaline. Choose a spot that gets up to six hours of direct sun. In the hottest summer areas, you may need to provide partial shade or plant them against an east or a north wall.
Plant high so that the top of the rootball is even with the ground, but dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the rootball to allow room for roots to expand. Plant 3 to 8 feet apart, depending on variety; you may need to plant even farther apart if you are planting the tallest varieties. Provide good air circulation.
Mulch with pine wood chips, sawdust or ground bark to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Gardenias don’t like their roots disturbed by cultivating around them.
Plant high so that the top of the rootball is even with the ground, but dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the rootball to allow room for roots to expand. Plant 3 to 8 feet apart, depending on variety; you may need to plant even farther apart if you are planting the tallest varieties. Provide good air circulation.
Mulch with pine wood chips, sawdust or ground bark to retain moisture and prevent weeds. Gardenias don’t like their roots disturbed by cultivating around them.
Gardenias like plenty of water, at least an inch a week. Water at ground level — overhead spray can cause the flowers to turn brown. They also like humidity, so if they aren’t in bloom, you can mist them in the morning.
Feed once a month during the growing season with a full-strength fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants, such fish emulsion or blood meal.
Prune after they finish blooming or in early spring before buds form to shape and remove dead branches. Pinch back branch ends to keep them compact. Pull off dead blossoms.
Spray aphids and whiteflies with the blast of a hose (be careful not to get it on the flowers), an insecticidal soap or a light horticultural oil. Yellowed leaves with green veins indicate a magnesium deficiency.
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Feed once a month during the growing season with a full-strength fertilizer designed for acid-loving plants, such fish emulsion or blood meal.
Prune after they finish blooming or in early spring before buds form to shape and remove dead branches. Pinch back branch ends to keep them compact. Pull off dead blossoms.
Spray aphids and whiteflies with the blast of a hose (be careful not to get it on the flowers), an insecticidal soap or a light horticultural oil. Yellowed leaves with green veins indicate a magnesium deficiency.
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Botanical name: Gardenia jasminoides
Common names: Gardenia, cape jasmine (but unrelated to the familiar jasmine)
Origin: China, Taiwan and Japan
Typical plant community: Tropical and subtropical areas
Where it will grow: Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 17.8 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 7 to 10; find your zone)
Water requirement: Regular to ample water
Light requirement: Sun to partial shade
Mature size: 2 to 8 feet, or taller, and up to 10 feet wide
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates humidity; prefers acidic soil
Seasonal interest: Fragrant single or double white flowers from midspring to midsummer; dark green foliage year-round
When to plant: Fall or spring