Gardenia plants give gardens that fresh white tropical look. The fragrance of gardenia flowers feeds the senses with their intoxicating scent that transports gardeners to a scenic tropical island somewhere in the South Pacific.
Gardenia is a genus of flowering plants comprised of about 142 species belonging to the family of Rubiaceae. Gardenia plants are indigenous to the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia and Australia.
Gardenia flowers are white or yellow in color and develop either a single or a cluster of blossoms. The flowers of many species are known for their intoxicating sweet scent.
Gardenia jasminoides, also known as Gardenia grandiflora, originated in Asia. It is considered a difficult plant to take care of.
Gardenia taitensis, also called Tahitian Gardenia and Tiare Flower, is one of only a few plants indigenous to Polynesia. This evergreen tropical shrub can grow as tall as twelve feet.
Other popular Gardenia species include Gardenia brighamii, Gardenia cornuta and Gardenia nitida, to name a few.
History and Care of Gardenia Plants and Gardenia Flowers
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2. Gardenia is a genus of flowering
plants comprised of about
142 species belonging to the
family of Rubiaceae.
Gardenia plants are indigenous
to the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, Asia
and Australia.
3. Gardenias are evergreen shrubs which can grow
from two to twenty feet or more in height in their
natural habitat. The leaves are glossy, dark green
growing from about one to ten inches long
depending on the species. Gardenia flowers are
white or yellow in color and develop either a
single or a cluster of blossoms. The flowers of
many species are known for their intoxicating
sweet scent.
4. Gardenia jasminoides, also
known as Gardenia grandiflora,
originated in Asia.
Gardenia jasminoides is called
Zhi zi in China and in Japan it is
called Kuchinasi.
It has been grown in China for
more than one thousand years
and has been introduced to England
in the 18th century.
5. Several hybrids of Gardenia jasminoides have
been created, including low growing plants with
large flowers. The flowers are highly fragrant.
Several decades ago the flowers were worn by
men as boutonnieres on special occasions.
Jazz singer Billie Holiday called gardenia flowers
her trademark by wearing them in her hair. Today
the flowers are still a favorite choice for weddings
and proms.
6. Gardenia jasminoides is considered a difficult
plant to take care of. Many times gardenia plants
with many buds are bought and the buyer eagerly
awaits the opening of the flowers. But many times
the buds drop without further development. When
purchasing gardenia plants it's better to start with
small plants without buds. The plants need some
time to adjust to the environment in their new
home. Once the plants have adjusted to their new
home, flower buds start to develop into beautiful,
sweetly scented gardenia flowers.
7. Gardenia taitensis, also called
Tahitian Gardenia and Tiare Flower,
is one of only a few plants indigenous
to Polynesia.
This evergreen tropical shrub can
grow as tall as twelve feet. The flowers are white,
composed of five to nine petals and very fragrant.
8. Inhabitants of Polynesia use these highly fragrant
flowers as necklaces. These floral necklaces are
called Ei on the Cook Islands, Hei on Tahiti and
Lei on Hawaii.
On some Pacific islands wearing these gardenia
flowers indicates one's relationship status. When
the flower is worn on the right ear, the person is
available. When the flower is worn on the left ear,
the person is taken.
9. The flowers of Gardenia taitensis are used to
make Monoi Tiare Tahiti, which is a perfume oil,
by infusing the flowers in coconut oil. This process
is called Enfleurage. The process uses odorless
fats that are solid at room temperature to capture
the fragrant compounds released by plants.
In addition, the flowers are also used in highly
priced perfumes, like Tiare by Ormonde Jayne
and Tiare by Chantecaille.
10. Other popular Gardenia species include
Gardenia brighamii, Gardenia cornuta and
Gardenia nitida, to name a few.
11. Gardenia plants prefer partial sun and should be
protected from the hot afternoon sun during the
summer months. They grow and flower well under
grow lights where night temperatures should not
go below 60 to 65 degrees which translates to 15
to 18 degrees Celsius.
12. Gardenia plants are prone to root disease.
Growing them in clay pots can reduce the risk as
the potting medium dries out faster in clay pots.
Gardenia plants prefer an acidic potting medium,
soil, meaning the soil ph is less than 7. If the
potting medium is not acid enough, many
nutrients, including iron, cannot be absorbed by
the roots and the plants develop a condition
called Chlorosis which expresses itself in
yellowing of the leaves. Some gardeners pour a
small amount of vinegar at the top of the soil to
prevent or treat mild cases of Chlorosis.
13. It is best to water gardenia plants when the
surface of the potting medium looks and feels dry.
It is recommended to avoid using “hard” tap water.
If the tap water is very “hard”, adding some
vinegar to the watering can lowers the ph level of
the water. When watering it is important to water
the plants thoroughly until water drips through the
drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. The
gardener needs to make sure that no water
remains in the saucer after the drainage process
is complete.
14. When fertilizing gardenia plants
any balanced fertilizer at one
quarter strength of the
recommended dosage can be
used.
Using a fertilizer designed for acid
loving plants reduces the risk of Chlorosis.
Humidity should be kept at 50% or higher. If
humidity is low, misting the plants frequently or
using a humidifier greatly benefits gardenia
plants.