Hardy Fragrant Daisy Gardenia Bush – 1 Gallon Pot

Spacing:  3′ for solid hedges;  5’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form:  Bushy, Dense, Mounding, Upright 

Flower Color:  White

Flower Size:   2-3″

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Growing to 3 to 4 feet tall and equally as wide, the Daisy Gardenia is an ideal choice as an accent, in groupings or as a wonderfully fragrant hedge in home foundation plantings and landscape borders. Because they like a break from the midday afternoon sun and cold northwesterly winds, they are best planted on the east side of the home or other structures. Needless to say gardenias are a perfect fit for sensory gardens and near windows or outdoor living spaces where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Spacing: 3 feet apart for solid hedge;  5 to 6 feet or more apart for space between plants

Gardenia are exceptionally easy to grow in moist but well-drained soils of average fertility and part sun, preferably morning sun with some shade or filtered sun in the mid afternoon hours. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soils can cause root rot or other plant diseases. The east side of the home or other tall structure is a perfect spot. USDA Zones: 8a-11   Find Your Zone 

To flower their best and maintain deep green foliage color, all Gardenia require an acid to moderately acid soil ranging from 4.5 to 6.0 on the pH scale. If your soil is alkaline foliage will turn pale-green to yellow and flowering will be diminished.

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you’re unsure about the pH of your soil and whether or not it’s suitable for growing Gardenia it’s a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area. You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.

Learn More:  What is Soil pH & How To Test & Adjust It