Gardenia

Specimen, good deer resistance, fragrant flowers, broadleaf evergreen shrub.

Botanical Name: Gardenia

Varieties we carry:

• Snow Girl

• Snow Globe

• Daisy 

• Frost Proof

• August Beauty

• Diamond Spire

Seasons of availability: All year.

Landscape Value:

Gardenia is an evergreen flowering shrub, typically growing 4-8 feet tall and wide. There are also several dwarf varieties as small as 2 feet at maturity.  Gardenia is highly ornamental with fragrant, perfect flowers that open waxy white and age to yellow.  Gardenias are heavy blooming in late Spring to early Summer and some varieties will sporadically re-bloom through Summer into Fall. Gardenias require moderate maintenance. White flies, aphids, and scale may be an issue in addition to Phytopthora root rot. Gardenia has moderate wildlife value by attracting pollinators with nectar and birds with fruit (hips) and shows good resistance to deer browsing.     

Plant Care:

Gardenias prefer bright indirect sunlight or partial shade and are hardy to growing Zones 7-11. Some varieties adjust well to full sun, but they require sheltering from cold. Protection from strong winds should be considered to prevent winter burn.  We carry Gardenia varieties that are more tolerant of the cold, but still need to be monitored with extreme low temperatures and wild temperature swings in the fall and late winter. Morning sun frost protection is recommended. Plant in rich, acidic, well-drained soil and remove spent flowers to encourage blooming.  Mulch the prepared soil base to retain moisture and fertilize with a slow-release fertilizer to encourage new growth.

Ideal planting seasons: Spring and Fall.