Gardenia
- Phonetic Spelling
- gar-DEE-nee-ah
- Description
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Gardenias are a genus of over 200 species that are evergreen flowering shrubs in the coffee family. They are native to Africa, Asia, Australia and some Pacific Islands. They can be shrubs or small trees and grow from 3 to 49 feet tall.
The leaves are usually shiny and leathery and occur in whorls or opposite on the stem. The showy fragrant flowers can occur singly or in clusters and are usually white or yellow.
The plants generally prefer fertile, moist, acidic soil, bright indirect light and humid conditions. They can be challenging to grow outside of their native conditions. There are many types and cultivars available with various sizes and colors of flowers.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems can be white flies, aphids, scales, thrips, mealy bugs, spider mites, and caterpillars. Disease issues include root-knot nematode, powdery mildew, root rots, sooty mold. Chlorosis can occur in alkaline soils.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common gardenia diseases and other problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Gardenia jasminoides
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Gardenia jasminoides
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gardenia
- Family:
- Rubiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Asia, Africa, Pacific islands
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- berrylike fruits contain a sticky orange pulp
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Showy fragrant flowers in various sizes and colors. Often white or yellow and appear singly or in clusters
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Whorled
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Glossy, leathery leaves vary in size depending on the variety
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Asian Garden
- Garden for the Blind
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Problems:
- Frequent Disease Problems
- Frequent Insect Problems
