Vietnamese Gardenia

Description

Strongly fragrant 3" creamy white single flowers are held against the large deep green glossy foliage on this vigorous evergreen shrub with a naturally dense and rounded habit. The Vietnamese Gardenia is much easier to grow than many Gardenias as it is more tolerant of overly moist soils as well as drought once established and has high resistance to Nematodes and other pests. This is one of the most free flowering Gardenias in our collection!

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. 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.