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Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides Ellis
(with comments on
G. thunbergia L. f.)
gar-DEN-ee-ah jazz-min-OID-ease
Rubiaceae
Explanation of name:
Alexander Garden, a South Carolina physician (UF1098).
Jasminoides reflects similarity to Jasmine.
Natural range:
China
Synonymy:
Gardenia augusta Merr. ; Interpr. Rumph. Herb. Amboin. 485 (1917).
See
http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=110&taxon_id=242323051
Recognition: Shrubs
with a triangular stipule between the opposite leaf bases (as in most Rubiaceae).
Flowers white and very fragrant, with inferior ovary. Sepals 5, often large,
petals 5-numerous in doubled flowers. There are many cultivars. For an annotated
list, see UF IFAS Circular 1098 by Joan Bradshaw.
Landscape uses:
Gardenia jasminoides is the main
ornamental Gardenia in Florida
(UF1098), with G. thunbergia a
nematode-resistant grafting rootstock. Fertilize in South Florida September,
February, and mid summer. Used as specimen plants or massed on sunny, acid, well
irrigated sites. Best with some protection. Susceptible to nutrient deficiencies
on non-acid soil, sucking insects, nematodes (hence the preference for grafted
plants), bud-drop due to stress, and drought damage
Notes: The
so-called Florida “Gardenia” is
Tabernaemontana
divaricata ‘Flore Pleno’ in the Apocynaceae. This species differs from
true Gardenias by having milky sap, superior ovaries, and leaves without
stipules.
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Botanical
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English
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FL native
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Growth form
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Flowering season
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Typical dimensions
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Suggested spacing
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Cultural conditions
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Problems
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Gardenia
jasminoides
(often grafted
on G. thunbergia)
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Gardenia
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Exotic
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Shrub
Small Tree
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Mostly SP but variable
with cultivar
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Depends on cultivar,
often 4’-8’
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Depends on cultivar; for
use as shrubbery border, about 5’ apart (WA1)
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SU-PS
AC!
MO (irrigate)
WD
RS
(UF1098, PBCC)
Not ST (WA1)
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ND on alkaline soil
Nematodes
Burn from poor watering
Bud-drop from stress
Best when grafted
Sucking insects
Sooty mold
(WA1)
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