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Dwarf Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans'

Phonetic Spelling
gar-DEE-nee-ah jaz-min-OY-deez RAD-ih-kans
Description

'Radicans' cape jasmine or creeping gardenia is a broadleaf, evergreen, cultivar in the Rubiaceae (coffee) family. Gardenias are native to southern China, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam.

As the common name implies, this gardenia’s habit is low and spreading with a dwarf habit.  The showy white flowers have the same heady fragrance as the parent plant but they are smaller.  Prune off dead blooms to encourage rebloom.  It will bloom boldly in late spring, and then on and off through the summer. Gardenia’s orange fruits appear in fall and attract birds.

It requires part shade to full sun; however, some afternoon shade is advisable as leaves may scorch and buds may drop. Acidic soil that is high in organic matter and has good drainage is a must. If soil is too alkaline, leaves will yellow and blooms may drop. It is heat and drought tolerant and deer resistant but is not frost tolerant and should be protected from cold winter winds.  

Creeping gardenia makes an excellent foundation plant, low-hedge groundcover, or border planting. Place it beside a patio or walkway to fully enjoy its large and fragrant blooms. It even works well planted in containers.   

Quick ID Hints:

  • Flower bud has spiral, 'barber pole' appearance
  • Flowers fragrant, white/cream, double, waxy, and 1 to 2 inches wide
  • Low mounding evergreen shrub with shiny, green, elliptical, wrinkled opposite leaves or in whorls of three

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites are occasional insect pests.  Anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf spot, and sooty mold are occasional disease problems.  

The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common gardenia diseases and other problems.

VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

More information on Gardenia jasminoides.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Collector’s Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Radicans Variegata'
    Oval blue-green leaves edged with creamy white.
'Radicans Variegata'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#drought tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#dwarf#flower arrangements#showy fruits#moist soil#well-drained soil#creeping#spreading#glossy leaves#foundation planting#double flowers#groundcover#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#orange fruits#food source fall#walkway planting#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Radicans Variegata'
    Oval blue-green leaves edged with creamy white.
'Radicans Variegata'
Tags:
#fragrant#evergreen#showy flowers#full sun tolerant#small spaces#drought tolerant#white flowers#nectar plant#dwarf#flower arrangements#showy fruits#moist soil#well-drained soil#creeping#spreading#glossy leaves#foundation planting#double flowers#groundcover#cutting garden#acidic soils tolerant#fantz#orange fruits#food source fall#walkway planting#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#container plant#perennial#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gardenia
    Species:
    jasminoides
    Family:
    Rubiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Gardenia hips attract birds and other wildlife.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Creeping
    Dense
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a 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
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The 1.5” long, ovate shaped berry has six longitudinal ribs and starts dark green and changes to a dull orange. Is an ovate berry with strap-shaped sepals, orange.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Extremely fragrant double flowers 1–2" across. (1) white to cream, fragrant, double, waxy, to 2" dia; petals 12-14, obovate.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leathery
    Waxy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblong
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite or whorled in 3's, simple, oblong-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, cuneate, entire, coriaceous, shiny dark green above, dull and lighter green below, veins impressed and rib-like below, glabrous. Up to 4" long and 1 1/4" wide, elliptical with acuminate tip, wrinkled, can have variegation.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Green turning brown, glabrous; pith light green to whitish brown. Buds have spiral, barber pole appearance.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Asian Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Garden for the Blind
    Nighttime Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Heat