The Queensland Gardening Pages

Information & resources about plants & gardens for Brisbane & Qld

Gardenia

Gardenias are commonly used landscape plants in SEQld, but too often the dream fails to match the reality of growing these plants in Queensland's increasingly hot and dry conditions.

Hints for growing gardenias in SEQLD include a moist but well drained soil enriched with organic matter. They will need plenty of light but protection from the most punishing summer sun. Morning sun or dappled sun all day would be appropriate.

These rather fussy shrubs will tend to drop their flower buds if they get a fright, such as a heat or cold shock, or drying out. If you're lucky enough to get a display, prune after flowering to keep the plant bushy.

Fortunately, the common type sold locally as 'Florida' is a garden centre staple in SEQld and don't cost a lot in the smaller pot sizes. Why not buy a few plants and try them out in a different spots to see what works best in your garden?

Alternatively, try one in a tub in an azalea and camelia mix. Gardenias like soil on the acid side. A fertilser designed for azaleas or camellias would also be suitable for gardenias.

From general observation, the groundcover form 'Radicans" does seem to perform better locally, This can also be pruned to form a miniature hedge. So, these are also an alternative to try if you desire gardenia fragrance in the garden, but aren't having luck with other forms. The blossoms will not be so impressive for picking, however.

More information coming to this page in the future. Meanwhile, check out the links below.

Where to buy Gardenias in Qld

These popular plants are carried by many general nurseries and garden centres. Click here to view the Nursery Guide

If you're a nursery company responsible for promoting particular Gardenia cultivars or trademarked lines, please get in touch for information about advertising your brands on this page.

Links

Gardenia Clemson University, South Carolina (PDF)

Gardenias by Joan Bradshaw, University of Florida, USA

Gardenias Are Garden Favorites Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information, University of Arizona

Gardenia jasminoides University of Florida (PDF)

Gardenia jasminoides 'Prostrata' University of Florida, USA (PDF)

Gardenias' Smell Casts Spell Over Gardeners Office of Agricultural Communications Mississippi State University, USA

Gardenia jasminoides Trees of Miami, Florida, USA

Prune gardenias after they bloom for fragrant flowers every year University of Florida

Common Gardenia University of Hawaii (PDF)

Gardenia--nature's perfume for the garden

Visual Symptoms of Plant Nutrient Deficiencies in Nursery and Landscape Plants (Picture of iron deficiency) University of Hawai'i at Manoa

Manganese Deficiency in Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides) A photograhic illustration. University of Florida NutDef Plant Nutrient Deficiency Database

Missing nutrients cause plant problems Mississippi State University

Ungainly Gardenia Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture

Yellowing gardenias Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture

Growth of Gardenia jasminoides 'Veitchii' Under Red or Black Shadecloth University of Florida

Gardenia jasminoides Landscape Plant Propagation Information, University of Florida

Gardenia jasminoides 'Radicans Variegata' Landscape Plant Propagation Information, University of Florida

Gardenia jasminoides 'Veitchii' Landscape Plant Propagation Information, University of Florida

Gardenia thunbergiana Trees of Miami, Florida, USA

Tiare Tahitian gardenia. Kauai Community College, Hawaii

Meet the Plants Pacific flora database of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA (select Gardenia taitensis, G. sootepensis or G. thunbergia from the "choose a plant" menu)

Gardenia psidiodes (Gardenia 'Glennie River') James Cook University, Qld