Gardenias are in stock at retail nurseries now, in bloom and in bud, the ideal time to sell them. Check out the new ‘Crown Jewel,’ a low-growing, spreading to prostrate gardenia with fragrant, double flowers. Repeat summer blooms follow a May flush of flowers; fall brings another heavy crop of color. Light pruning after the first bloom stimulates even more blossoms because it blooms on both old and new wood.
The plant grows about 6 inches per year, reaching 2 to 21/2 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, making it ideal for small garden beds. Gardenias need well-drained, moist soil and full sun to partial shade; a bit of afternoon shade is great, especially on hot summer days. Gardenias like acidic soil, so organic compost or light application of an azalea fertilizer is recommended.
Since Dallas soil is alkaline, try planting a gardenia in a decorative container. It is easier to maintain acidic soil by using azalea mix as the planting medium and fertilizing with an organic product formulated for azaleas, camellias and other acid-loving shrubs, including gardenias.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Dallas Morning News
