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Cape jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides)

Gardenia jasminoides is a perennial evergreen woody shrub, although some sources also describe it as capable of a small-tree form.

LightBright, filtered light to partial shade is suitable; some outdoor accounts also allow sun, but strong exposure should be avoided, with a bright, sheltered position being more reliable.
WaterIt prefers a moist but well-drained growing medium and can be watered regularly after the surface has dried slightly; excessive drying should still be avoided in winter.
HumidityIt is generally reported to prefer moderate humidity and need moderate airflow.
TemperatureSources differ on the minimum temperature, with about 6 °C reported. A USDA hardiness range is reported, and it is generally described as tolerating brief light frost.
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Overview

Gardenia jasminoides is a perennial evergreen woody shrub, although some sources also describe it as capable of a small-tree form.

Origin and habitat

It is native from East Asia to Southeast Asia, with sources generally including southern China, Taiwan, Japan, and Indochina, while some also include the Korean Peninsula. In the wild it can occur in scrub and forests along streams, on slopes, hills, in valleys, and in fields; Japanese sources also record it in mountain environments ranging from sunny to partly shaded. It is suited to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical environments, although flowering may be poor in tropical lowlands, and it is also widely grown indoors in temperate conditions.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 30–300 cm, while the few sources for mature spread report about 100–150 cm. The leathery, glossy leaves are deep to bright green, usually opposite and occasionally whorled, with shapes ranging from elliptic and oblong to lanceolate and obovate. The strongly fragrant, large flowers are usually white, becoming cream-yellow or pale yellow as they age; the corolla is funnel-shaped or tubular, and horticultural forms may be single, semi-double, or double. Sources differ on flowering time among climates and native regions; the fruit is generally reported to be an indehiscent, many-seeded, ovoid to oblong berry that can mature to orange-yellow, orange-red, or reddish yellow, while double-flowered forms often do not fruit or form seed.

Light

Bright, filtered light to partial shade is suitable; some outdoor accounts also allow sun, but strong exposure should be avoided, with a bright, sheltered position being more reliable.

Watering

It prefers a moist but well-drained growing medium and can be watered regularly after the surface has dried slightly; excessive drying should still be avoided in winter.

Humidity and airflow

It is generally reported to prefer moderate humidity and need moderate airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ on the minimum temperature, with about 6 °C reported. A USDA hardiness range is reported, and it is generally described as tolerating brief light frost.

Growing medium and mounting

It prefers fertile, organic-rich, moist but well-drained soil that is acidic to neutral, including well-drained loamy or sandy media; sources differ in their descriptions of the suitable pH range.

Feeding

Fertilizer suited to acid-loving plants can be used, and nutrient deficiency during vigorous growth may cause yellowing beginning with older lower leaves. Some horticultural sources recommend feeding in spring and again in early summer, while avoiding autumn feeding because it may encourage new shoots vulnerable to frost.

Propagation

Propagation can be by cuttings, layering, or seed, with some sources also listing grafting; cuttings and air layering can root after a period of several weeks. Double-flowered forms often do not fruit and therefore usually do not provide seed for propagation.

Common problems

Possible pests include scale insects, mealybugs, aphids, thrips, whiteflies, and some moth and butterfly larvae, with larvae potentially feeding on flower buds or fruit. Sooty mold may occur with poor airflow under hot, humid conditions, while gray mold may occur in greenhouse environments. Nutrient deficiency may cause yellowing beginning on older lower leaves; the shallow root system does not tolerate root disturbance well, and strong competition from tree roots should be avoided. It is sensitive to cold, frost, strong winds, and winter dryness; mature plants may briefly withstand mild freezing, but warm, sheltered, frost-free conditions are more suitable.

Identification

Gardenia jasminoides can be distinguished by its glossy, leathery, deep-green leaves, strongly fragrant white flowers that become cream-yellow as they age, and fruit that can retain conspicuous persistent sepals at the tip.

Photos

Gardenia jasminoides
📷 Alpsdake · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Gardenia jasminoides
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0 · source
Gardenia jasminoides
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · CC0 · source

Sources