August Beauty Gardenia

Description

Botanical Name:  Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’

Common Name:  ‘August Beauty’ Gardenia

Description:  Gardenias are one of those plants that have been used in Southern gardens for so very long that we all have a tendency to think it is a native plant. But it’s not. It has, however, very much adapted to the heat and humidity of the Deep South, which is one reason it’s used so much in our gardens. It is an acidic-loving plant, so trying to get it grow in alkaline areas of Texas is very difficult. Thankfully most of East Texas has acidic soil, so they grow fine here. This beautiful shrub has dark green, evergreen foliage and it likes a sun to part sun area, with some protection from the worst of the summer afternoon sun. It needs moist but well drained soil. It does not tolerate standing water. It’ll grow 4-6′ tall x 3-4′ wide at 1 to 2′ per year. Be sure to use an organic fertilizer formulated for acidic-loving plants. Espoma’s Holly Tone is perfect for them. These grow great in large containers or in garden beds as hedges or as specimen plants. Please let these shrubs grow naturally to show off their beauty instead of pruning them into squares or rounds. It’s not really drought tolerant, so be sure to water during very dry times.

Now let’s talk about those flowers. Oh my, those flowers and their yummy fragrance. ‘August Beauty’ Gardenia features showy fragrant white flowers about 3″ wide at the ends of the branches from early to late summer. The flowers are excellent for cutting. I truly think Gardenia flowers and Magnolia flowers are the epitome of Southern flowers. Bees and butterflies also enjoy the nectar the Gardenia flowers give them.

This plant in the 3-gallon containers is 1-3′ tall and wide.

Fun Fact:   Gardenias are in the coffee family Rubiaceae. It is native to parts of South-East Asia. It has been in cultivation in China for at least a thousand years, and it was introduced to English gardens in the mid-18th century.

Hardiness Zones 7b – 9