The gardenia’s sweet fragrance and waxy-white blossoms add an
exotic note and yet seem right at home in California gardens.
The most popular types are jasminoides, which includes the
mystery, veitchi and radicans varieties.
The gardenia’s sweet fragrance and waxy-white blossoms add an exotic note and yet seem right at home in California gardens.
The most popular types are jasminoides, which includes the mystery, veitchi and radicans varieties. Mystery and veitchi are the most common selection for California gardens, and their flowers are used in florist shops too. The radicans is a dwarf from 6 to 8 inches high, contrasting with the usual 4- to 6-foot growth. Mystery loves the sun, while veitchi takes to partial shade.
Gardenia thunbergia is another species that’s more open and taller with pointed long leaves and large white flowers measuring three inches across. Thunbergia is not as hardy as mystery but is more tolerant of various soils and needs less heat.
In general, the gardenia grows well in areas with hot days and warm nights in a well-drained area and acid soil. Feed an acid type commercial fertilizer each month from March to September. Some time after the first planting, apply cottonseed meal or bone meal if the soil fertility seems depleted. Watering should be done carefully during hot, dry weather. Sprinkling around the plant during very high temperatures will help maintain high humidity and lower temperatures. California Certified Nursery Professionals also recommend regular applications of iron sulfate or chelated iron. The California Association of Nurserymen recommends that you plant Gardenias in different situations according to the climate of your locale.
– The California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers
