Gardenias are a wonderfully popular plant here in Australia. They are a very versatile plant and there are many perennial varieties available from ground covers to standards, or even bushes suitable for loose hedges. There is a Gardenia out there for every garden type.
If you have ever wondered how to grow gardenias in Perth then look no further. Gardenias are a relatively easy flower to grow, and there are a few tricks to successfully growing gardenias in Perth, Western Australia. Get these right and you will be laughing.
When to plant gardenias in Perth
Late spring to early summer is the best time to plant gardenias to avoid the chance of frost until plants are established.
Where do gardenias grow best?
Gardenias grow best in full sun but may appreciate shade during the middle of the day. Gardenias will thrive in humid areas and don’t tolerate drought or arid conditions.
How much water do gardenias need?
Gardenias like about an inch of water per week. You don’t want the gardenia to completely dry out. But equally overwatering will cause root rot.
How big do gardenias grow?
The gardenia is a bushy shrub by nature and can grow up to 2.5m tall.
Types of gardenias in Australia
Below is a list of some of the more popular varieties of gardenias;
- Gardenia Florida – Gardenia Florida is a wonderful small evergreen shrub growing to 1m by 1m with scented white flowers in late spring through into summer. Performs best in acidic soils, so before planting improve the soil with organic matter. It will not grow to its full potential if it is exposed to the elements, plant it in a sunny position sheltered from winds and heat. It looks great as a hedge, in a pot or as a feature tree.
- Gardenia Radicans – Gardenia Radicans is a terrific small evergreen shrub growing to 50cm high and 1m wide with scented white flowers in spring and summer. Performs best in acidic soils, so before planting improve the soil with organic matter. It will not grow to its full potential if it is exposed to the elements, plant it in a sunny position sheltered from winds and heat. ‘Radicans’ looks great as a hedge, in a pot or as a feature tree due to its lovely deep green leaves and amazing scented flowers.
How to grow gardenias at home
Growing gardenias at home in the garden is pretty straightforward.
- Choose a spot in the garden that gets full sun to part shade, with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with a Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver and Plant Fertiliser. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
- Dig the gardenia planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any tangled roots.
- Position the gardenia in the hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down the topsoil. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most at the base of the plant. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stems of the plant.Feed every week with a Flower Liquid Plant Food.
Growing gardenias in pots
You don’t need a large space to have your very own gardenias. Growing gardenias in pots is easy, fun and rewarding! In general growing gardenias in pots is a great idea. Below are the steps on how to how to grow gardenia in a pots;
- Choose a pot that is at least twice the size of the selected plant usually 60cm or bigger. Position in the garden in a location that receives full sun to half shade.
- Dig the gardenia planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the shrub from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any tangled roots.
- Position the gardenia in the hole and back-fill with soil, gently firming down the topsoil. Form a raised ring around the plant, creating a well so that water will go where it’s needed most at the base of the plant. Water in well.
- Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips or pea straw, keeping it away from the main stems of the plant.
- Feed every week with a Flower Liquid Plant Food.
How to propagate gardenias
Gardenias are an easy plant to propagate. To propagate Gardenias simply take a 10cm stem cutting just below a lead node in early spring. Dip the end of the stem cuttings into a rooting hormone, place it into a light mix of soil with perlite and keep it moist. Transplant the rooted cuttings into 7-10cm pots with a high quality suitable potting mix.
When do gardenias flower in Australia
Gardenias will have two mass flowerings, the first is in spring and the second again in summer.
Best fertiliser for gardenias
Every 3 months from spring to autumn feed your gardenias with cow manure and a sprinkle of Certified Organic fertiliser if your soil is poor. For really strong, healthy growth and large blooms fortnightly applications eco-seaweed will help.
When to prune gardenias in Australia
Mid spring is the best time to prune gardenias, noting that this may cause flowering to occur later in the summer than normal. Pruning will help make your gardenias bushy again.
Companion plants for gardenias
I like to plant gardenias with flowering shrubs like camelias, rhododendrons, and azaleas which will blend in beautifully with gardenias.
Where to buy gardenias in Perth
Many quality nursery will sell gardenias when in planting season. You can also often find gardenias in Bunnings.
Gardenia problems
One of the most common problems for gardenias is yellow leaves. There are four main reasons why it can occur:
- Cold weather – The transition from warm climate plants that react to cool winter and early spring weather by pulling nutrients out of their older leaves (making them go yellow) and then dropping them.
- Old leaves – gardenias leaves have a finite lifespan and tend to drop old ones at the same time. So if you’ve got a stack of yellow leaves down low on branches but the rest of the growth is a rich green then this is what is happening. No need to panic.
- pH level in soil – Gardenias prefer acidic soils. If growing in alkaline soils gardenias have trouble accessing all the nutrients they need and yellow leaves can develop. Apply sulphur to the soil to make it more acidic. Feed with an eco-seaweed to help the plants.
- Lack of nutrients – If you have resolved any pH level issues and the soil is acidic but the plant still looks pale or yellow all over then it’s usually just hungry. Remember these are heavy feeders and therefore any lack of nutrients can show up time and time again.
Check out our other how to grow in Perth guides:
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