August Beauty Gardenia, Cape Jessamine, Cape Jasmine

Description

3" double white, wonderfully fragrant flowers are produced over an extended period beginning in about midspring and continuing into midsummer on mature plants and they attract the hummingbird-like Sphinmoths as a pollinator. August Beauty Gardeniais a naturally evergreen, medium-sized shrub, growing to about 4-6'H 4-6'Wthat makes an easy specimen plantor informal hedge for the garden or landscape. Provide Gardenias with a full sun to partially shaded site in a well-draining, average moist, fertile soil for optimum vigor and flowering. In the hottest summer climates of its range the Gardenia often benefits from midday to afternoon shade. August Beauty Gardenia has long been a favorite in southern gardens for its fragrance, vigor, and reliability.These old garden favorites are still commonly referred to as Cape Jasmine or Cape Jessamine in many southern gardens but no matter what you call them the fragrance of a Gardenia is unforgettable.

Gardenias perform best in a fertile, well-drained, humus rich, acidic soil with average moisture and an organic mulch. They seem to do best in hot southern regions where they get some midday or afternoon shade but need good light for the best flower production. Provide your Gardenias with good air circulation to minimize pest infestations. In the northern most reaches of their range they will benefit from protection from cold, drying winter winds. Gardenias make good container plants and can be enjoyed indoors where not winter hardy. Prune after flowering.

Did you know that Gardenias attract hummingbird moths with their fragrant and easy to spot white to rarely yellow or orange flowers. Some species, likeGardenia nitidaandG. tubifera, are obviously moth pollinated with their flattened corollas that open at the ends of 3-5" long arching narrow tubes. Gardenia flowers are, generally speaking, the most fragrant near sunset and during the early evening hours making them obvious choices for Moon Moth gardens as well as in containers. Site Gardenias near walks, patios, and within easy reach for indoor arrangements.