Perfume Your Garden and Home with Gardenias

One of my favorite plants is the large white-flowered Mystery Gardenia (gardenia jasminoides) that grows to about 5' tall and wide. The perfume-like scent adds an exotic feeling to gardens. Plus, the large white flowers show up well in moonlight when many people more likely get a chance to take pleasure in their garden.

If you want to enjoy gardenias, plant them where they get sun. Most people plant gardenias in the shade because these plants love the same soil as shade-loving camellias and azaleas. However, gardenias can take full sun and prefer at least half a day of sunlight. Gardenias will not bloom well in the shade.

Don't over water your gardenias. Keep the soil surface moist, but not soggy. Don't let them dry out too much during flowering or they will drop their buds. To keep your plants from drying out, mulch well.

Gardenias also like rich organic soil, azalea/camellia fertilizer, and iron. If your gardenias get yellow leaves, they most likely need more iron. During the growing season, feed your gardenias every three weeks.

Don't get harsh when pruning gardenias. They need some leaves left on the stock so they can get nutrition. Prune after blooming but before fall so the plant gets a chance to grow and form new flowers for the next spring bloom.

Gardenias bloom from late spring well into summer. Besides the glorious creamy-white blooms, they give your garden a gorgeous deep green backdrop all year long.

Plant gardenias near your entry door to welcome guests and yourself with the invigorating perfume-like scent. Just one or two flowers floating in a bowl of water fills your home with natural fragrance. With over 200 species of gardenias, you're sure to find just the perfect variety at your local nursery for your garden.

Copyright © 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Jeanette Fisher, author of Joy to the Home and other books, teaches interior Design Psychology. Free "What Is Design Psychology" Report http://designpsych.com

---

June Gardening Tips

These are just a few gardening tips for you to... Read More

Patio Accessories ? Complete The Great Outdoors

Patio accessories can range from small to large and of... Read More

You Cant Beat Perennials For Glorious Color All Season Long

When you start gardening with perennials, it's easy to think... Read More

Landscape Design

Landscaping is a wonderful pastime enjoyed by many. It provides... Read More

Marsh Marigold

The bright yellow flowers of the marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)... Read More

Ecological Landscape Design and Organic Lawn Care

There is a growing recognition, that the expanding suburban landscape... Read More

Are There Really Black Roses?

Throughout the course of time, black roses have conjured... Read More

Delavays Blueberry (Vaccinium delavayi)

Whether we know it or not, most of us are... Read More

Store Your Outdoor Furnishings to Make Them Last

In many parts of North America, the end of "porch... Read More

Patios And Garden Pavers

Is your concrete or asphalt driveway an eyesore? Do you... Read More

Vegetable Growing for Beginners

If you have never grown vegetables before the first thing... Read More

A Garden Bench: A Beautiful Addition To Any Garden

Okay, so you have spent hours upon hours creating the... Read More

Teak Furniture - A Cut Above The Rest

As you shop around for outdoor furniture, you will notice... Read More

Composting - aka: The Circle of Life!

Composting is where the gardening thing comes full circle. You've... Read More

How To Brighten Up Your Home With These Flower Arrangement Ideas

A beautiful flower arrangement piece can become the focal point... Read More

Feed the Birds

Elaborate and decorative or simple and functional, birdhouses and birdfeeders... Read More

Why Teak Coffee Tables Are Essential For Your Outdoor Space

One of the best ways to bring together the many... Read More

Plants To Grow Old With or The Constant Battle

Following are a few paragraphs about the on going battle... Read More

Dill: Scandinavias Most Important Culinary Herb

The ancient herb, Anethum graveolens or Fernleaf dill as it... Read More

Make Your Fresh Cut Roses Last Longer!

Women adore getting flowers, most especially roses, as it is... Read More

Gardening for Kids

Children are continually bombarded with advertising for fast food and... Read More

Adirondack Chairs - How to Choose One

In Blue Mountain Lake, New York, you will find a... Read More

Vermicomposting - Worm Composters For Eco-Friendly Waste Disposal and Recycling

Worms are not only the gardener's best friend, they are... Read More

Basics of Pruning Roses

Pruning your roses does not need to be a dreaded... Read More

Light Up Your Garden And Brighten Your Life

Extending Your Living SpaceThe garden is fast being considered to... Read More

Garden Sheds - More Than Just Storage

You may already have a garage or shed in your... Read More

Fun, Funky Garden Plants

I have a love for funky, fun and unique garden... Read More

Light Up the Night! Quick Facts about Outdoor Lighting

When the days start to get shorter, the darkness may... Read More

Mowing the Lawn

This is more of a follow up on my original... Read More

Care of Dendrobium Orchids

DendrobiumsThis month I am focusing our attention to the care... Read More

Rose - The Flower of Love and Romance

What is the flower that everyone visualizes and associates with... Read More

A Kids Tree

During my youth kids were required to pass through a... Read More

Popular Adirondack Chairs - Everything You Need To Know

Adirondack chairs were invented during the early 1900's by a... Read More