Good Morning Happy Gardeners,
It was most exciting to receive 1.5" of rainfall a few days ago. It was the first good rainfall since October. Needless to say, it was a happy event. This has been the longest severe drought in our area in many decades. The rain was surely welcomed by Mimie DiRico and her Beautification team. They removed weeds and overgrowth and planted new seedlings, seeds and native plants on the grounds of the Rutland House at the Sanibel Historical Museum Village.
It is a brisk, breezy morning with the beautiful, aromatic fragrance of several varieties of plants blossoming in the garden. The delightful fragrances are even more pronounced during the evening hours.
Night-blooming Jasmine
Several varieties of Jasmine are blooming profusely in various locations in our garden and throughout the island. Each variety has a different remarkable aroma. They are located as free standing bushes, on a trellis, climbing trees and climbing above entryways. The sweet scented flowers are white with waxy dark green leaves. Carissas are in full bloom. They are the most desirable fragrance one can imagine. We have a Red Passion Vine creeping across the top of a fence bordering a Carissa hedge. The Passion flowers are so pretty, but I will have to trim the vine soon in order that it doesn't harm the Carissa hedge. Other Carissas in our garden are free-standing bushes.
As I sit here writing, the scent from a bowl of Gardenias is wafting my way. I imagine the magnificent grafted Gardenia bush with a wonderful story to tell in Margie Lee's garden. I asked her to repeat the story for us.
Here it is: "My big Gardenia bush is just getting started blooming. Soon it will be covered in all white flowers. I have had it since 1964 when my dad gave it to my grandmother. She, in turn, gave it to me to care for. I have had it for 53 years. When we moved twenty-five years ago, the movers would not take it. We rented an enclosed truck and had it driven here. The Gardenia was always in a large pot. For ten years, we kept it in the pool cage. It did all right. Fifteen years ago, we planted it in the ground. Then, it really became happy! It grew and bloomed and bloomed. Last year, when it was approximately fifteen feet in diameter with a trunk of 6-8" in diameter, I returned home one day in June to find it trimmed to a mere stump with sticks remaining. I had not told my landscapers to trim it. I could not help but shed tears. There was no way to add the trimmings back on the bush. I am still holding back tears as I look at it and patiently wait for it to grow that large again."
Margie, (view the photo above), it looks like it will soon return to its glory days. Thanks, Margie. Your Gardenia bush is a true rarity in the world of gardening.
Plants are like people with an average lifespan. My interest was piqued. I found that forty years is a high life expectancy for Gardenias. Thus, Margie's is really incredible. I recall reading that Hibiscus have an average lifespan of eight years. That is misleading as there are so many varieties and conditions that it would be difficult to name a specific age. It would be a good idea to check the average lifespan of plants we are considering using in our landscapes. There are some plants that do not last as long as we expect them to last. This can dramatically alter a landscape. We merely think we are responsible when a tree succumbs. Its not us---its just the tree is old!
Cut Gardenias from Patti's yard
Almost everyone loves Gardenias. If you want a long-lasting, planted in the ground, Gardenia bush, it is absolutely imperative to purchase one with a grafted Florida rootstock. These appear with grandiose blooms in creamy white with waxy dark green leaves and a noticeable graft on the trunk. It will appear pricier and will be pricier. It is your guarantee of having a more successful planting. The best variety I know of is Miami Grandiflora or Miami Supreme. The crop of blooms is outstanding.
If you see a Gardenia that is lower priced and without a visible grafting on the trunk, it will bring current pleasure but not long-lasting. They can last a few years planted in a container. Actually, I have one that bloomed small flowers for almost a year. It is still somewhat alive.
A few weeks ago at the Farmer's Market we found incredibly beautiful Gardenia plants with gorgeous Miami Grandiflora blooms and waxy green leaves that were on tall trunks that did not have any appearance of grafting. They surely resembled the "best." The price wasn't real steep, but was enough to make me think it was the real deal. Regardless, I couldn't resist. I will let you know if it survives. We are enjoying the fragrance and blossoms so much.
When you purchase a plant, make sure you check it over for insects or disease. Gardenias are susceptible to white flies, aphids. mealy bugs and other pests. You can inspect and shake the branches a bit to see if anything flies out. Do not purchase anything with white flies or other insects. There is nothing you can do, once you have it home, that would justify the purchase.
Gardenias need sun, but not full sun as many labels read. Like most other plants, they prefer morning sun. They can take some afternoon sun, but it is too harsh on them during the summer here. I would suggest partial sun. They like acidic, rich soil. Ask which soil is most desirable when you purchase the plant. Dig the hole twice the size of the pot and at the same depth. Plant the Gardenia slightly higher than the soil. Citrus and Gardenias do not like to be transplanted. Chose the location wisely. If you transplant any plant from a pot to the ground, it will be happy. Most plants aren't happy to be transplanted from ground to ground.
We have a grafted Gardenia bush that is approximately ten years old in the front yard that gets too much afternoon sun. (about 3-5 hours). That is too harsh during the summer months. When we planted it, it was receiving partial shade due to a coconut palm shading it. As the coconut palm grew, it lost its partial shade. It is quite a large bush and presents us with several beautiful blooms, but the leaves are not waxy, deep green.
Gardenias need supplementary Iron three times a year. They like Fish Emulsion. They like coffee grounds, humidity, well-drained acidic soil. Use Neem oil according to directions, Insecticidal Soap and Rubbing Alcohol on a cotton ball to curb unwanted pests. They should be trimmed back after blooming.
That's all for now,
Patti from Paradise