Evergreen Shrub – Steady As She Goes Gardenia

Steady as she goes gardenia 

Botanical name: gardenia jasminoides 

Beginner friendly?: moderate 

Average size at maturity: 3-5 ft in height with a spread of 4-7 ft 

Hardy zone: zones 7-10 

Foliage color: green 

Bloom time: spring, summer, fall 

Flower Color: white 

Growth rate: grows less that 1 ft per year 

Pruning instructions: remove damaged or diseased branches in the spring 

Propagation methods:  propagate with cuttings in the spring or summer months 

Landscape use:  borders, container, focal point, winter interest 

Light needs: 3-5 hours of sun per day 

Special features: fragrant blooms, continuous blooms, deer resistant 

Watering instructions: allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release fertilizer once in the early spring and once again in the late spring 

Best time to plant: spring or fall 

Best type of soil: sand or loam 

Companion plants: camellias, azaleas, ferns, hydrangeas 

Toxicity level: toxic for pets if ingested but non-toxic for humans 

Invasive species: no