Gardenia Care:

Gardenias Prefer to have full sun to light shade. In hot climates, it will do best in morning sun and afternoon shade. In cooler climates, they can tolerate full sun just be sure to watch for yellowing leaves which could be a sign of burn.

Gardenias are slow-growing and reach up 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide. They should be planted at least 3-4 feet apart.

Water regularly weekly, or more often in extreme heat or when planted in containers. Be sure to water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system.

Gardenias are an evergreen plant with showy, exceptionally fragrant flowers that blooms in the early to mid Summer and are 2-3” across and sometimes has a rebloom in the Fall.

They are great for borders, containers, cutting, hedge, mass planting, and privacy screens.

Gardenias will thrive in constantly moist, organically rich but slightly acidic, well-drained soils.

Feed every 4-6 weeks while blooming with an acidic fertilizer.

Keep roots cool with a thick layer of mulch or mint compost.

Gardenias only require maintenance pruning to remove dead foliage and shape the plants, when it is dormant. Clip all dead and diseased branches at a 45-degree angle back to the nearest healthy bud or intersecting branch.

Deadhead blooms just below the leaf node as they expire to encourage more blossoms on the plant.  

Pinch the tips of Gardenia branches in the first year to encourage branching for a fuller plant.

Gardenias are also deer resistant.