Gardenia Tree

Gardenias are some of the favorite tropical flowering plants for avid landscapers. During the blooming period, these small bushy trees represent a class of their own in the landscape design. The conspicuous white flower is not only spectacular for onlookers, but it fills the garden with a pleasant fragrance that no other flowers can compare. What's more, the tips for gardenia tree growing and care are so easy that you can maintain healthy gardenias with very little effort.

Gardenia Growing Basics

Depending upon land availability and your convenience, you can grow gardenia tree in garden soil or containers. Accordingly, choose hardy varieties of suitable height and size. Whichever planting choice you have opted, follow the growing requirements mentioned below, and definitely you can enjoy large gardenia flowers in spring.

• Gardenia tree grows best in areas that are exposed to morning sunlight, but receive filtered sunlight during the day. Avoid harsh sun, or otherwise the flowering buds drop down before opening.
• For growing gardenia indoors, place the plants in a corner where they are exposed to indirect sunlight for 6-8 hours daily. If required, you can make arrangements for artificial lights.
• The ideal soil conditions for gardenias are acidic pH range (falling between 5-6), fertile, moist and well-drained soil. So, supplement garden soil and potting media with organic compost and peat moss.
• Maintaining optimal temperature is another gardenia care instruction. As far as the ideal temperature is concerned, day temperature should not exceed 70° F and night temperature should be about 55-60° F.
• While growing this tree, either indoors or outdoors, high humidity is a must to ensure maximum production of healthy flowers. Considering this, frequent misting is suggested.
• Dig a hole that is two times bigger than the root ball size. Place the grafted gardenia plant in it without damaging the fragile roots. Cover with soil, and press the soil near the stem with your fingers.

How to Care for Gardenia Trees?

Planting a gardenia tree in the preferred soil conditions is not the end of your gardening endeavor. But, you must have proper tree caring knowledge for enjoying bigger blooms. Useful care instructions that you ought to follow are:

• The first and foremost important step in gardenia care is correct watering. This small tree requires moist soil (not soggy or wet) for quick establishment. In the first few days after plantation, water the plants daily (for sandy soil) or on alternate days.
• As the newly planted tree gets established in the soil or potting media, you can reduce the watering frequency to once in 3-4 days. Mulching around the tree is also effective for conserving soil moisture.
• As said already, gardenia thrives on fertile soil, and to provide sufficient nutrients, it should be fed regularly. Purchase appropriate acid-based gardenia tree fertilizer and supplement the soil after every 2-3 months.
• Similar to other ornamental bushes, gardenia pruning is carried out in summer to control height and shape. Also, by trimming weak and diseased twigs once in two years with correct gardenia pruning care, you can reduce plant problems significantly.
• Keep a close eye over your tree, particularly during stressful environmental conditions. Common gardenia tree diseases are caused by anthracnose and other fungi. Also, look out for whitefly, red spider, mealy bug and aphid infestations.
• Talking about gardenia care in winter, protect the tree from extreme cold conditions. This is specifically applicable to this tree grown outdoors. Falling of immature leaves is seen when the surrounding temperature falls below 15° F.

If you happen to grow gardenia tree in a flower garden, you can still enjoy the pleasant aroma indoors by using cut gardenia flowers. You can also keep intact gardenia blooms in ornamental bowls filled with water.