About Gardenias: Flowers, Foliage, and Culture

Overview

Gardenias are southeastern U.S. favorites with glossy green leaves, showy white blossoms, and sweet fragrance. Use as standalone evergreens, hedges, borders, or houseplants. Tropical, but Cape Jasmine types are hardy in zones 8b–11. Shape as bonsai or let grow to 8 feet. Plant in full sun to partial shade with high humidity.

Flowers

2-inch diameter, ivory to bright white, intensely fragrant. Bloom late spring to mid-summer, singly or in clusters. Perfect for cut arrangements or floating in bowls—two or three flowers scent a room.

Foliage

Smooth, glossy, deep green. Evergreen above zone 8b. Naturally rounded habit. Leaves are waxy-shiny, excellent in arrangements.

Planting

Dig hole twice the root ball width. Set root ball slightly above grade. Backfill with 50/50 potting soil and native soil. Mound soil away from trunk for drainage. Water with root stimulator.

Care

Weekly watering with good drainage. Mulch 3–4 inches to retain moisture. Monthly acid fertilizer during bloom. Prune early spring before buds. Deadhead during season to promote rebloom.