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Gardenia jasminoides

Gardenias are 3- to 5-foot shrubs that bear superbly fragrant 3- to 5-inch high flowers and handsome shiny dark green leaves 3 to 4 inches long. They form flower buds only when night temperatures drop below 65 degrees; thus, in the coastal sections of California, where days are warm but nights are cool much of the year, gardenias bloom abundantly from May until November and occasionally at other times. In areas where night temperatures remain above 65 degrees from late spring on, they provide a big burst of flowers in late spring and early summer, and plantings in light shade sometimes continue to blossom into the summer months. Few blossoms are produced in the winter, since the plants become nearly dormant when night temperatures drop below 55 degrees.      Gardenias thrive in full sun or light shade in moist soil that is quite acid; if foliage turns pale with dark veins, add iron chelate or iron sulfate according to the manufacturer's directions. When setting out container-grown plants, plant them at the same depth as they were growing or even an inch higher. Since cultivating around the plants may damage their shallow roots, keep the soil moist and cool by mulching with 2 to 3 inches of wood chips, sawdust, or ground bark. Feed the plants every month during the growing season with a light dusting of a rhododendron-azalea-camellia fertilizer, or the fertilizer sold especially for gardenias, scattered as far as the branches spread. Prune lightly in early spring to shape plants, and remove deadwood.

Common Gardenia, An upright shrub with green, waxy foliage and exceptionally sweet, fragrant, long-lasting flowers.

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Site launched January 1, 2000. Site updated September 1, 2007.

[CyberSalad] [Garden Pursuits] [Garden Quotes] [Garden Journal] [The Language of Flowers] [Monthly Chores] [Garden Poetry] [Zone Maps] [First/Last Frost Dates] [Trees] [Ground Covers] [Fruit/Berries] [Water Garden] [Gardening Links] [Vegetables] [Lawn] [Raised Beds] [Bulbs, etc.] [Shrubs] [Perennials] [Annuals] [Herbs]