Hardiness zones
Sunset 7-9, 12-16, 18-24
USDA 8 -11

Landscape Use: Mesic and oasis landscape design themes, foliar and fragrant accent. landscape borders, entryways, container plant

Form & Character: Evergreen and mounding, formal, oriental 

Growth Habit: Slow growing and very short lived in Phoenix. Mostly it seems like one is 'growing' chlorosis when attempting to cultivate gardenia in Phoenix landscapes.

Foliage/texture: Glabrous, dark green leaves, simple and entire, prominent venation, nearly sessile, medium coarse texture

Flowers & fruits: Flowers are large (up to 4" across) and fragrant, borne singularly and at terminal meristems; fruits are inconspicuous green.

Seasonal color: Large white fragrant flowers in spring and fall 

Temperature: Struggles in high heat of summer when temperatures exceed 110^oF, cold tolerant

Light: Partial sun/shade, NO western sun

Soil: Very intolerant of alkaline and saline soils = foliar intervenal chlorosis. All plantings must be thoroughly prepared by amending heavily the soil with acidic peat moss and mulching the soil surface heavily with composted forest mulch. The ideal soil is acidic (pH at 4-5.5), highly organic and well drained. Because of salt sensitiveness, fertilize with controlled release azalea or camellia fertilizers. 

Watering: Regular, keep soil evenly moist

Pruning: Very little needed

Propagation: Softwood cutting, seed (will germinate readily at 75^oF)

Disease and pests: Aphids, thrips, white flies, scale, root rot (poor draining soils), flower bud drop (caused by sudden changes in watering or temperature conditions)

Additional comments: This is a very difficult, extremely high maintenance plant to grow in the lower desert because of environmental incompatibilities, but the rewards for the fragrance of one flower make it worth it.. There are many named cultivars. More questions?

Contact:
Gardenia Society of America
Box 879
Atwater, CA 95301