Growing Gardenias

Growing gardenias challenges even the most experienced gardeners. Native to the warm, temperate climates of China, Japan and the Pacific islands, gardenias remain popular despite their finicky nature, thanks to their gorgeous blossoms and sweet scent.

Whether you grow gardenias indoors as houseplants or live in a mild climate where they flourish outdoors, start with the basics of gardenia plant care to create the best conditions for your gardenias. Next, choose a variety that is suited to your planting zone. These varieties will give you a head start on successfully growing gardenias by being better suited than their cousins to your garden. If you have your heart set on another variety listed below that isn’t recommended for your garden zone, try growing it indoors as a house plant instead, or potting it up in a gorgeous container and enjoying it as a patio plant in the summer and taking it inside during the cooler months.

Proper soil, water, humidity and light are the essential ingredients to growing gardenias. It’s easier to control these conditions indoors, which makes gardenias popular as houseplants. If you decide to try your hand at growing gardenias outside, consider the conditions in your garden carefully before selecting a gardenia.

Half the battle in growing gardenias is choosing the best variety for your location. Remember that gardenias flourish in mild, moist climates. Gardenia species native to these climates need you to create these conditions in your garden. Garden zones 8 through 10 provide optimal conditions for growing gardenias, but if you live in zones 7 and 6, new varieties promising to be frost-proof may work in your garden.

Some popular gardenias to try outdoors include:

• Gardenia jasminoides, also called Cape Jasmine. This evergreen shrub blooms in spring and early summer with large white or cream-colored blossoms. Many gardens in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina include Gardenia jasminoides as part of foundation plantings for its beautiful dark green glossy leaves and wonderful blooms. The scent is strong and fragrant, and compared to other gardenia species, jasminoides is the least fussy if grown in the proper conditions. Plant Gardenia jasminoides and related varieties outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 8b through 11.

Especially hardy cultivars of Gardenia jasminoisdes suitable for zones 6 and 7, include:

• Frost-Proof Gardenia. The so-called Frost-Proof Gardenia is a new variety of Gardenia jasminoides that has been specially bred to withstand cooler temperatures. They’ve also been bred to better withstand insects and other problems that plague older varieties of gardenias. Cold snaps can ruin gardenia blossoms, but Frost-Proof Gardenia is said to maintain its blossoms even if springtime temperatures plunge. Choose this gardenia if you live in zones 6 – 9. Frost-Proof is a new variety not sold in stores. It may be purchased online through Brighter Blooms Nursery.

• The Oregon Association of Nurserymen lists two gardenias suitable for Washington state, Oregon, northern California and Idaho. They should also do well up to zone 7. Two cultivars created with these climates in mind include:
  • Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia. Kleim’s Hardy withstands temperature fluctuations and is hardy to zone 7. Kleim’s Hardy grows about three feet tall, making it an excellent hedge choice. Large two-inch flowers cover the glossy evergreen foliage in late spring.
  • Chuck Hayes or Oregon Gardenia. Large, double flowers grace this plant from spring through early summer. A profuse bloomer, Chuck Hayes gardenia tolerates temperatures slightly cooler than Kleim’s Hardy and is reported to produce nearly triple the amount of flowers as Kleim’s Hardy. Recommended for Garden Zones 7 and above, the Chuck Hayes or Oregon Gardenia also resists many common gardenia problems.

Proper site selection outdoors is important to growing gardenias. Gardenias don’t like being moved once they’re planted, so choose your site wisely. Gardenias require part sun to full sun. Morning sun followed by dappled shade creates the perfect light conditions for gardenias. Avoid planting gardenias next to concrete patios or walkways. Concrete can raise pH levels, and gardenias need a soil pH between 5 and 6. Amend the soil with lots of compost and peat moss to ensure good drainage, and use organic mulch around planted gardenias to maintain optimal soil moisture.

For more information on growing gardenias, start with the following societies and universities:

• The Gardenia Society of America provides support and advice for gardenia aficionados. They do not have a website, but can be reached by mail. Include a self-addressed, stamped enveloped with your information request and mail it to:

Gardenia Society of America

Box 879

Atwater, CA 95301

• The National Gardening Association provides a plant care guide for growing gardenias successful indoors and out.
• A free fact sheet on gardenia care is available online from the University of Rhode Island.
• North Carolina State University’s website includes a fact sheet on growing Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia.

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