HOW TO GROW GARDENIAS Gardenias have a bit of a reputation for being tricky to grow, but they’re not. You just have to know what the plants need to stay happy and give it to them. Here’s how to grow Gardenias.

WHERE TO GROW GARDENIAS Probably the most important part of success with Gardenias is where you plant them. They like: • Morning sun or sun from an east-facing or north-facing exposure. • Acidic soil (soil pH of 6.0 or lower). • Well-drained soils that are high in organic matter (not super heavy sticky clay or sandy soils). • Room to grow. While you can prune Gardenias, they’re happiest when allowed to assume their natural shape. Read the plant tags to see how large the variety you’re growing is projected to get and choose a spot that can accommodate their size.

HOW TO PLANT GARDENIAS 1. Test the soil 2. Dig the hole Let’s say you have everything Gardenias need Always dig just as deep and twice as wide as the right in your garden, but you’re not sure about the plant’s rootball. soil pH. Before you plant, definitely get a soil test 3. Plant the Gardenia (your local cooperative extension agency can do Place the Gardenia in the hole and fill in around that for you) or buy a soil test kit from the garden the plant with the same soil you removed. The center and follow instructions to test the pH top of the Gardenia rootball should be level with yourself. This is critical to success with Gardenias. or slightly higher than the surrounding soil. If it is If the pH is good (6.0 or lower), you can move to lower, remove the plant from the hole, fill in a bit step 2. If it’s too high, lower the pH by applying with soil, and replace the plant. Aluminum Sulfate or soil acidifier for Gardenias, 4. Water camellias, azaleas, and hollies, according to pack Give the newly-planted Gardenia a good soak. instructions. Once that’s done, you can dig. Turn the hose on all the way and count to 30 or water with three gallons of water. If you live where the soil is highly alkaline, it is 5. Mulch worth growing Gardenias in containers so you can Keep the soil moisture consistent and the garden control the soil pH. tidy by mulching. Spread mulch in a layer of 2-3 inches (no deeper) around the plant. Keep the mulch away from the plant stems.

HOW TO WATER GARDENIAS Water Gardenias every day just after planting, gradually increasing the time between watering. You never want the soil right around the plant roots to totally dry all the way out right after planting. During the first growing season keep tabs on the plant. Until it has grown roots into the surrounding soil, you’ll still have to water once or twice a week. The second growing season and beyond water Gardenias only if your area hasn’t had a good soaking rain for 3-4 weeks. ‘CROWN JEWEL’ GARDENIA GARDENIA TROUBLESHOOTING Give Gardenias what they want, in terms of sunlight, soil, and water, and they won’t cause you a lot of problems. There are a few common issues, though. Here’s how to identify them and what to do. • Yellow leaves: Leaves may be yellow because they aren’t getting the right nutrients, usually because the soil pH is too high. This usually shows up as yellow leaves with bright green veins. Test the soil and fix the pH before fertilizing. Leaves also turn yellow when plants are overwatered, but the whole leaf will turn yellow and fall off. If the soil pH is correct, cut back on watering. • Leaves are falling off, starting with oldest leaves: The plant might have root rot. There’s not much you can do about this. Start over in a new place and make sure the soil drains well. ‘PRINCE CHARLES’ GARDENIA • Leaves have a greyish “powder” on them: This is powdery mildew. Increase air circulation around the plants and take care not to water their leaves. HOW TO FERTILIZE GARDENIAS Use preventative fungicides the next year. • Leaves have a black coating on them: This is Fertilize Gardenias in spring right after the last frost sooty mold and it is related to an insect problem. with a balanced fertilizer labeled for acid-loving Identify and treat the insect problem, and the plants. (Look for azalea, holly, or camellia fertilizer.) sooty mold will go away. Fertilize again 6 weeks later, which should be close • Shrub won’t bloom: It is likely that you pruned to bloom time. Avoid fertilizing in the fall, as this can early in the season and cut off the flowers. Delay cause new, tender growth to sprout, which will then pruning until after flowering. be damaged by fall frosts.

HOW & WHEN TO PRUNE GARDENIAS Start by buying the right Gardenia for the space where you’re planting it and you’ll be ahead of the pruning game. However, if you need to prune, here’s when and how to do it.

To reduce size or to shape Prune immediately after flowering. Always cut back to a leaf and don’t leave an empty twig hanging out. Gardenias form flower buds for the next summer after blooming, so if you prune in spring before they bloom, you’ll cut off all of the flowers.

To remove winter-damaged growth Think your Gardenia got zapped by a frost? Wait until new leaves start sprouting to remove dead Phil Dark of Oakmont Nursery is the breeder behind growth. You might be surprised at what’s still alive! two exciting new Gardenia varieties, ‘Prince Charles’ and ‘Crown Jewel’.

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