How to Plant & Care for Gardenias
Gardenias are evergreen shrubs that produce large white flowers with a strong fragrance. Blooming generally occurs between May and July. They grow well outdoors in USDA zones 7b to 11 and can be grown indoors in other climates. Gardenias are prone to leaf spot, canker and powdery mildew and should be checked for signs of illness regularly. Growing gardenias from seed is very difficult, so they are best grown from seedlings purchased from a nursery. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant gardenias outdoors in late fall or early spring in an area that will receive a mix of sun and shade. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plants root ball but only deep enough to hold the root ball with the top above the soil.
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Place the plant in the hole and fill the hole with dirt. Mound the dirt so that it covers the root ball and pat it down firmly. Water the area well, using 2 inches of water.
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Feed plants in mid March and again in June with a fertilizer that is high in acid. Formulas that are labeled for azaleas will work well for gardenias as well.
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Water the gardenia plants weekly using a hose or irrigation system. Overhead watering with a sprinkler is not recommended since it may increase the chances of leaf spots, a fungus that gardenias are prone to.
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Trim mature stems and faded blooms regularly to promote new growth. This is best done when the plant has finished blooming for the year.
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Check the leaves and stems of the plant regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. Signs to look for include brown or black spots and fuzzy white mold.
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Tips & Warnings
Plant a gardenia near windows or patios to enjoy the fragrance from the blooms.
Propagate a gardenia shrub by rooting cuttings taken from an existing plant. Place the cutting in an equal mixture of peat moss and potting soil and keep moist. Roots will appear in six to eight weeks.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Gardenia flower image by Buonfiglio from Fotolia.com
