For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. How to Assess and Prune Cold-Damaged Shrubs, 3 Tips to Protect Gardenias from an Impending Freeze, Bring Their Intoxicating Scent Indoors: Tips for Growing Gardenias as Houseplants. Mulch the area with 2 or 3 inches of bark or pine straw. This means the best gardenia companion plants can stand direct sunlight throughout the morning and wont be disturbed by a gardenias roots. Her other enthusiasms include newbie gardeners, open-pollinated sunflowers, 15-foot-tall Italian climbing tomatoes, and the arbor her husband repurposed from a bread vendors display arch. Learn the how-tos in our guide. }, Regardless of the companion plants you choose, youll want to give your gardenias some space. If youre still looking for gardenia companions to add to your dream garden, make sure you look for acid-loving plants that need the same soil conditions as gardenias (well-drained soil) and have the same sun exposure needs. You will need to dry the seed pods for one month before harvesting the seeds. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. This article provides some suggestions on what to plant near gardenias. "@type": "Question", Soil: Plant gardenias in humus-rich, acidic soil that is well-draining but moist. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. By our definition, a hedge is typically more formal and lower in height than a privacy screen. So, its not a given that a gardenia will succumb to the cold. Standard heirloom types are likely to only be hardy in Zones 8 to 11, where the minimum temperature usually dips no lower than 10F. When planting gardenias along with other shrubs, it is also important to give them plenty of room: Gardenias will not do well if they have to compete for root space, notes Southern Living Plants. Make sure you go with various perennials that love the morning sun and thrive in the afternoon shade. During the summer, you may need to add an iron supplement such as Southern Ag Essential Minor Elements. Unlike old-fashioned gardenias, it is hardy all the way through zone 7, and avoids late frosts that kill the flower buds on older types.It grows into a 5-foot tall evergreen shrub with glossy dark-green leaves and richly-fragrant double white blossoms all summer long. First and foremost, start by knowing that gardenias grow well in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10. The genus was named by Carl Linnaeus and John Ellis after Alexander Garden (1730-1791), a Scottish-born American naturalist. Shrubs, such as azaleas and rhododendrons, look super alongside gardenias and prefer the same type of growing conditions. Once lowered into its new spot, gently backfill the remaining space and tamp the area down. If you plant your gardenias outside, they should be kept moist. Grooming can be highly beneficial to your Frostproof but is most commonly done for the sake of shaping. As a bonus, the plants send up spikes of pink or white bell-shaped flowers in the early summer, attracting pollinators. You cant go wrong when you combine heuchera with gardenias to create a dramatic effect for your landscape. Yellowing of the plants leaves means it isnt getting enough iron, which may be further supplemented during the summer, applied according to the supplements packaging. They are known for their large, pointed-shaped flowers that sit atop the bright green leaves. Moving forward, you can take a look at which textures and colors you want to plant next to your gardenias. "@type": "Answer", Note that the well-loved mophead-type hydrangeas vary in color depending on the pH of the soil. With their pleasing, glossy, dark green foliage and powerful aromatic flowers, gardenia bushes make the perfect choice for beds near windows, patios, and entryways. For both in-ground plants and those growing in containers, if the soil is dry an inch or two below the surface, give it a thorough watering two or three days ahead of a predicted hard freeze. Peonies are available in a wide variety of flower forms and colors, so you should have no trouble finding one or more that fits in with the rest of your garden's design. ] If you can, move potted plants to a protected area to wait out the weather. This upright, aromatic perennial develops beautiful flowers resembling mopheads that can be pink, red, orange, purple, or white, depending on the variety you choose. Growth is upright and vase-shaped, to 3-4' tall. Fool Proof Gardenia - Super Compact Fragrant Flowering Shrub - In this video I go over Fool Proof Gardenias from the Southern Living Plant Collection. This Frost Free Gardenia prefers partial to full sun and requires well-drained soil. In general, gardenias will need at least 3 to 6 feet of space to stay comfortable and thriving. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. Cottage Chic: Gardenias + Camellias. Camellias will produce flowers even when your gardenias are not in bloom. 29 Roses with Few or No Thorns for Your Garden, How to Grow and Care for Forget-Me-Not Flowers. Her bylines have appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, Allrecipes, Martha Stewart Living, and several other publications. Frostproof is surprisingly durable overall, with resistances to many common diseases, deer, drought, heat, and mildew. Gardenia jasminoides (gar-DEEN-ya jaz-min-OY-deez) is perhaps the most famous species boasting over a dozen cultivars. Revealed! Basil. eCommerce Software by 3dcart. Unexpected temperature fluctuations will always pose a challenge for flower gardeners, so its encouraging to have plenty of ways to fight, treat, and prevent freeze damage on gardenia shrubs. All Rights Reserved. Also called false indigo, this hardy prairie native has pretty gray-green foliage topped with sprays of blue, purple, white, or yellow flowers in the spring. "acceptedAnswer": { Asparagus. Frostproof is less fussy, more cold hardy, a compact and attractive plant. Heres the good news: Unless the plant has died all the way down to the roots, it might put out new growth with the return of warm weather. Grows best in Full Sun to Part Shade. Finally, consider growing gardenias only as indoor plants if your region gets too cold or if youve lost shrubs in the past. Avoid planting gardenias in depressions where water may collect. Will it survive? Despite having better frost tolerance, Frostproof has very delicate roots, which may actually be damaged if they have to compete with neighboring plants. And the fragrance from a single plant '- or a grouping of several '- will make your favorite sitting area even more enjoyable. Water 2-3 times per week during the first growing season. The dahlia has massive blooms from July to the first frost and can grow up to 36 inches. 1. Frostproof gardenia is a fast-growing, perennial, evergreen, flowering shrub. Coneflowers are magnificent drought-resistant flowers that bloom from June to October. It has sensitive roots that may suffer when competing with other plants. Because they love moisture and some shade, ferns work well with gardenias. Gardenias (Gardenia spp.) Its wiry stems support pink and yellow flowers that bob and dance on spring breezes. As long as the soil drains well, the risk of damage or disease shouldnt be a problem. Good air circulation is also important to ensure a healthy plant, notes Spring Meadow Nursery. Here are a few suggestions for gardenia companion planting. Pronunciation: gar-DEEN-ee-uh jas-min-NOY-deez. Companions For Azaleas And Rhododendrons: What To Plant With Rhododendron Bushes, Gardenia Flowers - Gardenia Buds Falling Off Plant, Impatiens Plant Companions What To Plant With Impatiens In The Garden, Learn How Plants And Soil Produce The Smell Of Rain, How To Create A Whimsical Gnomecore Garden, Best Trees For Carbon Sequestration And Climate Change, Growing Gunnera Seeds Tips On Seed Propagating Gunnera Plants, Fertilizing Outdoor Ferns Types Of Garden Fern Fertilizer, Apple Tree Companions: What To Plant Under Apple Trees, Persimmon Tree Diseases: Troubleshooting Diseases In Persimmon Trees, Home & Garden Marketplace: Advertiser Info. Water deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. } Since 1989, we have offered and shipped only the highest quality, retail nursery-grade plants on the market to hundreds of thousands of satisfied customers. Deadheading just below the leaf node will help encourage further blooms. Cold and heat tolerant, as well as vigorous, producing lots of blooms all season long. If you select the 2 pack option, each plant will come in 3 . No need to worry about a late spring frost, Frostproof is exactly as its name suggests and does not let a late frost bother it at all. "name": "Can I plant companion plants right next to gardenias? Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in dry to medium moist, well-drained soil. It is available from Home Depot in 2.5-gallon containers. Iron Chlorosis: Gardenias are acid-loving plants that grow best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0. Some cultivars, such as 'Golden Magic', have buttery yellow blossoms. It simply means shrubs that can tolerate cooler zones than the toasty areas in which they typically thrive. Varieties of heuchera with grayish purple leaves provide a stunning contrast when paired with gardenias, especially when they are grown together in containers. Camellias can be used as companion plants to your gardenias, allowing you to enjoy longer blooms. The plants mentioned above can thrive in those same soil conditions and will keep your gardenias happy. Buds and blossoms are far more susceptible to cold damage than old growth from last fall. Not all coreopsis varieties are as winter hardy as 'Moonbeam', so check the plant label before you buy. Choosing gardenia plant companions can be tricky as well. Size: Up to 30 inches tall and 36 inches wide. Better Homes & Gardens - 100 years of powering your passions at home. Rhododendron (Rhododendron ferruginous), Even more ideas for plants that compliment gardenias, How to Choose the Best Fertilizer for Rhubarb, Landscaping With Hibiscus Ideas For A Stunning Tropical Garden, 7 Low Maintenance Ground Cover Ideas For A Beautiful Landscape, How to Plant Creeping Phlox for Gorgeous Ground Cover. Catnip: A mint family with a strong scent that deters pests such as aphids, mites, scales, whiteflies, mealybugs, red spider mites, and leafhoppers. Creeping Lavender Lantana, Dwarf Blue Mexican Petunia, Low and Behold Butterfly Bush, Lavender or Purple Verbena, Ice Plant, Spanish Lavender are a few good companion plants for the Frost Proof Gardenia. You will need to pay attention to spacing, giving these plants a 48 inch berth further. The old South Florida favorite ixora ( Ixora spp.) I prefer Frostproof over any of the other cultivars, but that's just me. ; G. jasminoides 'Crown Jewel' grows in a 3-foot-tall . At this point, you can pause to mourn the loss of this years blooms or just be grateful your plant survived the freeze damage. Here is more about what we do. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Suppose you prefer perennials over annuals, not a problem! That way the plant will have plenty of time to develop a strong root system before summer's heat kicks in. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Gardenia jasminoides 'Frostproof' (Cape Jasmine) is an evergreen shrub that boasts showy, white flowers throughout the summer. Its crucial to understand what to grow with gardenias to extend your gardens life, health, and function. For a classic cottage look, plant your gardenias with camellias (Camellia spp., zones 6-10), which are also evergreen shrubs. Handle with care when transplanting; gardenia roots are best undisturbed. Less extreme strategies wont deter cold damage if an unexpected blizzard hits once the shrubs are blooming in late spring or if there are weeks of record low temperatures one winter. How to Choose What To Plant With Gardenias, 7. 2023 Gardening Know How, Future US LLC, Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036. These easy-care natives burst into bloom just as other perennials in your garden start to flag. Its excellent vase life makes it a great choice for cutting flowers or borders. Gardenias do not tolerate salt and require acidic soil with a pH of 5 to 6.5 for optimal growth and green foliage. Select a location in which your gardenia will receive parts shade and, preferably, morning sunlight. Life without gardenias wafting their spicy scent over the lawn or patio on a summer evening seems pretty grim to me, but if youre opposed to the extra work involved in making sure the plants survive in areas with cold winters, this could be your best option. They bloom abundantly in late spring and late summer, and they stand proudly on tall stems covered with gray-green, lance-shaped leaves. In fact, some fertilizers that are formulated for acid-loving plants are often marketed as being suitable for gardenias, azaleas and camellias. You can count on these cold-hardy perennials to take a polar vortex or two in stride and come back strong in the spring. It also produces thick clumps of dark green, straplike leaves that provides lasting beauty after it blooms. Fertilizer encourages new growth, which is the most vulnerable to cold damage. The rest comes from nitrogen in the air which these crops store in their root systems. And if this coverage was valuable for you, check out these gardenia guides next: Ask the Experts, LLC. Juniper bonsai is not difficult to care for; however, it requires regular watering. 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