- The right location for Gardenia in the garden
- Caring for Gardenia in the garden properly
- How to protect the Gardenia from frost in winter
- Place Gardenia jasminoides in the garden in summer
Not all Gardenia varieties are hardy. Most gardenias, such as Gardenia jasminoides, do not tolerate frost at all and must be overwintered indoors. But even species that have been designated as hardy need adequate winter protection if they are grown in the garden all year round.
When planting gardenias in the garden, make sure that the variety is hardy
The right location for Gardenia in the garden
In the garden, the gardenia needs a sheltered spot where it is as bright as possible but not necessarily directly sunny. It is also important that the place is protected from drafts.
Conditions for the location in the garden:
- bright, no direct sun
- Draft protected
- well drained, nutritious garden soil
- not too close to calcareous walls
Gardenias are very sensitive to lime, both in the irrigation water and in the soil. Make sure that the soil is as lime-free as possible. Keep sufficient distance from walls that could release limescale to the ground.
Caring for Gardenia in the garden properly
Gardenias like it neither too wet nor too dry. Waterlogging must be avoided at all costs. Water the gardenia regularly during the summer months. Use lime-free water for this, rainwater is best suited.
If you have prepared the planting hole well and improved the soil with sufficiently mature compost, you do not need to fertilize for a few weeks after planting.
Later, you should regularly supply the gardenia with fertilizer for rhododendrons during the growth phase.
How to protect the Gardenia from frost in winter
Even if the gardenia has been advertised as hardy - don't count on it. Frost-hardy gardenia varieties survive light frosts in the garden, but only if the frost periods do not last too long.
To be on the safe side, you should therefore protect the gardenia from frost in autumn by applying a layer of mulch and covering the plant with garden fleece.
Place Gardenia jasminoides in the garden in summer
Gardenia jasminoides cannot be kept in the garden all year round. This variety does not tolerate temperatures below 12 degrees.
You are welcome to put the Gardenia jasminoides outside in the tub in summer. But from September you should overwinter them indoors.
tips
Gardenias are relatively easy to propagate from head cuttings. The cuttings are cut in spring and grown in pots with lime-free substrate. They must then be set up bright and warm.