This beautiful shrub reminds us of our childhood, Sunday noon in the spring, inside grandma’s house, beef stew boiling and the smell of cinnamon, and outside on the sunny balcony, the Gardenia’s flowers fill the air with their angelic perfume. If we started this article by assuming that our readers do not know about one of the most famous plants in Greece, we would be very mistaken. However, we will take some time to talk about the plant that we all love and know.
In our company, we have a tradition of over 3 decades with this plant, and in our family, we grow it from the first steps of our business. Gardenia, scientifically classified Gardenia jasminoides, is a small green shrub with rich foliage, which produces large, white flowers with multiple layers of petals. It has a long flowering period, which can last from spring to autumn, even in winter if the weather is good, the Gardenia does not miss an opportunity to shed its beautiful buds.
What is the ideal location for Gardenia
The plant with white flowers has a particular love for the morning sun, so an eastern location is perfect to meet its needs. Gardenia wants full sun for 6-8 hours a day but in hot countries like Greece, it is better to place it in partial shade, as in the scorching summer months it will not withstand the intense heat and may “throw” the leaves and her buds. In case of frost in winter, Gardenia can be placed inside next to a large window or balcony door, as long as it is on the east side of the house and have direct contact with plenty of sunlight. Gardenia in our country is an extremely famous choice as a potted plant, and you can find its intoxicating aroma and its beautiful flowers on the balconies of the neighborhood. However, you can also plant in the soil, as a landscape plant, as long as it can you can cover it from extreme temperatures under the shade of a larger tree.
How to take care of your Gardenia
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Watering
Gardenia is a traditional flowering garden plant that needs its soil to have a fairly high moisture content and adequate drainage of excess water. You need at least 2.5 cm of water per week from the rain or the watering, so adjust your watering according to the season and the location you have chosen. Our favorite plant is quite sensitive to the amount of water it needs, so it is good to be careful not to dry the soil, but also not to stagnate from excessive watering, as the plant is in danger of losing its buds.
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Soil
Gardenia is a classic flowering plant that prefers acidic soil to grow quickly, and the ideal soil pH is from 5.0 to 6.0 units. Your plant needs soil that is rich in nutrients, so it is good to add organic materials.
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Fertilizer
The Gardenia growing season begins in March and ends in October, and the months following this period are the maintenance months. The ideal time to add fertilizer to the soil, as with any other plant, is during growth. Add fertilizer about once a month, starting in March, and choose a product recommended for acid-loving plants. Be sure to clean the soil of any fallen or dried leaves or buds as they promote fungal growth.
