Growing Gardenias
A Few Valuable Tips on Growing Gardenias
For the sweetest of scents and the showiest of foliage, growing gardenias is the pick of the crop. Grown outdoors in sub-tropical and tropical areas, and indoors as a show stopping houseplant, anyone can enjoy the gifts of this lovely plant.
An exquisite shrub, the gardenias is native to tropical and subtropical areas. Glossy and dark green, this plant is a delightful addition to any garden, where it can be grown as either a medium sized bush or a small tree. Growing gardenias can be as ornamental hedges and privacy screens, as well; a lovely scented screen for a secluded escape. Exceptionally beautiful when in bloom, the shrub is also an attractive accent when the flowers fade; taken over by vibrant orange-red berries that appear on extended graceful stems.
It is mainly the flowers that create the broad appeal and attraction for growing gardenias. Between five to twelve petals frame a delicate corolla of white to yellowish-white; made even showier by the shiny, dark leaves surrounding the blossoms. Intoxicating scents are trademarks of the gardenia, which can bloom from May through the end of July. The lovely fragrance combined with the eye catching appearance of the gardenia, it is no wonder that growing gardenias is so popular.
Just a few tips are needed to help a beginner gardener to enjoy this exotic flowering plant in their own garden or home. Growing gardenias can be done anywhere, provided the conditions are right. For best blooming opportunities, temperatures are a key component. Daytime temperature cannot be warmer than 70 degrees; flower buds will simply fail to form. Even more important are the nighttime temperatures; gardenias need temperatures of 60-62 degrees in the evening in order to develop flower buds. Growing gardenias in full sun is ideal, although some shade during the hottest times during the summer is allowable. When keeping the plant inside as a houseplant, do not place the container in full sun; rather, a bright area is preferable. The soil used for growing gardenias must be acidic for them to be successful in either an outside garden or a houseplant. Humid conditions are great for gardenias, so misting the plant lightly with a bottle mister or using the “mist” setting on your outdoor hose nozzle will help during dry seasons.
For gardenias that are in an outside garden, you may wish to prune the shrub back to maintain its size and shape. This should be done when the plant goes dormant for the season. Do not prune back too hard; some leaves are needed to help feed the plant during its hibernation.
Growing gardenias will enhance any garden or home. The sweet fragrance of the flowers and the beautiful deep green of the foliage make these plants favorites of many.