Tell me about gardenias?

Question

What are they like?

Answer 1

Favorite landscape shrub in Florida, the gardenia has very fragrant creamy-white flowers and glossy, dark-green leaves. The genus Gardenia is believed to have been named after Alexander Garden, a physician in Charleston, South Carolina, during colonial days.
Gardenias are a member of the family Rubiaceae and belong to the genus Gardenia. There are over 200 species of Gardenias. In Florida, two species are of primary importance: Gardenia jasminoides containing many cultivars, and Gardenia thunbergia, grown primarily as a rootstock. Gardenia jasminoides is native to China although most named cultivars have arisen in cultivation. Gardenia thunbergia, named for C. P. Thunberg, an 18th century Swedish botanist, is native to South Africa. This latter species is valuable due to its nematode resistance and the vigor it imparts to species grafted on its root.

Gardenias can be used as screens, hedges, borders or ground covers. They also may be used as free-standing specimens or in mass plantings.

These shrubs are excellent choices for fragrant flowers and handsome foliage. If you want to enjoy the flowers' fragrance, plant in areas with good air circulation near patios or windows where the fragrance will be noticed. Many cultivars bloom in the spring, while others bloom throughout most of the growing season.

Plant gardenias in full sun, partial shade, or shifting shade for best flower production. Prolonged shade may reduce flowering.

www.garrypalm.com/.../Gardenias3.htm

Answer 2

The gardenia is highly valued for its incredible fragrance, long-blooming flowers & handsome foliage. There are over 250 species, but, most are not cold hardy. The gardenia is named for Alexander Garden (1730-91), a Scottish physician and botanist who lived in Charleston, South Carolina.
From: The University of Georgia and Ft. Valley State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and counties of the state cooperating.

*Family: Rubiaceae
*Native: China, Taiwan, Japan
*Hardiness: Zone 7B to 10 – Hardy to 10ºF. May die back to the ground and regenerate at 0ºF.
*Growth Rate: Moderate
*Uses: Patio, Walkways, Container, Specimen, Groundcover, Corsage, Trellis, and Bonsai
See Pictures & More:
http://www.county.ces.uga.edu/cobb/Horticulture/Factsheets/Gardenias/gardenias.htm

Answer 3

Beautiful evergreen. Bloom in spring. Set new blooms after old ones die -- prune when blooms fade.

Prefer acidic soil -- epsom salt

Tollerate part sun to full sun.

Like iron -- copperas or rusty nails in soil

Will air layer root and/or root in water.

Write me if you want more.

Answer 4

That is my favorite flower!!!!!! they are so beautiful. I think they bloom in the spring, but the blooms don't last long. It is the best smelling flower. Ever!!!