What is the best way to care for Gardenia bushes?
I have beautiful gardenia bushes in my yard. I've never lived in a home that has them. Are there good things to do to keep them healthy?
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Answers ( 1 )
Gardenias need at least an inch of water a week, whether from rainfall or a hose. Apply mulch to a depth of two to four inches to help keep moisture in the soil and control water-hogging weeds. Do not let the plants become completely dry before you water, and water regularly. If you are inconsistent, the buds and leaves may drop off.
In spring and again in mid-summer, apply a dose of fertilizer meant for acid-loving plants, following the label instructions. Plants may also enjoy regular doses of coffee grounds, which provide a slightly acidic mulch, as well as applications of fish emulsion or blood meal, which can help raise the acidity of soil.
Do not be alarmed when those heady, milky white flowers turn one yucky shade of brown; it does not mean your shrub is dying – just that its blooms have faded. The plant can be tip pruned just after flowering, but do not prune the shrub any later than August or you could decrease next year’s blooms by removing buds that are already forming. If gardenias are growing under the right conditions, little pruning should be needed.
In fall around the first frost, apply a heavy layer of mulch around plants to protect roots from winter cold. Plants experience cold damage at 15 degrees Fahrenheit and lower, so be sure to cover plants with a breathable fabric or other materials on those coldest nights.