Gardenia
From PlantWiki
| Gardenia |
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 Gardenia Flower |
| Species |
| Gardenia |
Contents |
History
A member of the coffee family, Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub that originates from southern China, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan. 18th century Western explorers of those exotic regions believed their discovery of the plant to be profound. Little did they know, the Chinese had already been cultivating the intoxicating “Zhi zi” plant 1000 years. At one point, the West believed it to originate from the Cape of Good Hope and it still bears the common name of “Cape Jasmine” today.
This exotic oddity arrived in North America in 1761 to the care of colonial plant enthusiast, John Ellis of the Carolinas. Ellis named the plant in honor of a close friend, Dr. Alexander Garden. Garden was a physician and naturalist whose plantation was in the vicinity of Charleston, SC. The Gardenia took Europe by storm around the time that the Revolutionary War broke out in the colonies.
Characteristics
The flower of Gardenias gives off an unforgettable fragrance. The aroma can be described as warm, soft and spicy, yet sweet. The problem of late spring frost has long been a problem for anyone who grows these treasures for their spring bloom. The unexpected cold snap doesn’t harm the plant in the hardiness range, but causes all the Gardenia buds to fall off unopened.
As a group, these plants are rather fast growing evergreen shrubs of medium texture for the landscape. They prefer the hot, humid regions of zone 8-11, but newer varieties do exist that grow well in colder areas like zones 6 and 7. Gardenias grow best in evenly moist, compost rich and lightly acid soil that is well drained. They are available in different named selections that mature from 12” tall to over 6 feet. These shrubs are usually drought tolerant once established. They require good air circulation and winter wind protection.
Uses
While it is commonly known as an ornamental plant that is highly valued for it’s flowers in Western civilization, Gardenias have other benefits to society.
In Asia, the pulp of the Gardenia fruit the blooms leave behind is used as a natural source of yellow food coloring. At times it is used to die fabrics as well. The pigment can be treated naturally to provide colorants that span into red, violet, green and blue beyond the expected yellow. Cape jasmine has the potential to provide a substitute for chemical food coloring used in food, but further research is needed to prove the harmless nature of this natural colorant.
The essential oils of the fragrant flowers are used to create perfumes and flavor teas in the Orient. Gardenia also has medicinal uses. The roots are used to treat headache, fever and nervous disorders and the leaves are used in poultices. The orange, nicely fleshed berry fruits are employed as a cure for jaundice and ailments to kidney and lungs.
Home Uses
Gardenias offer a touch of tropical beauty and scent that is highly welcomed in a residential landscape or garden planting. They can be used as a single complimentary plant or grouped in hedges or low growing shrub borders. The fact that they are constantly green makes them a likable landscape dweller even in years that a cold spring does away with the blooming.
For best results in witnessing the miracle of bloom, homeowners should choose one of the more cold hardy varieties. The dwarf, spreading Gardenia radicans is reported to have good cold tolerance and matures at 6-12 inches tall by about 3 feet wide. Chuck Hayes Gardenia and Kleim’s Hardy Gardenias are said to be more cold hardy than many of the Gardenia jasminoides varieties. Both of these will finish off at 6 feet high or more.
The most dependable bloomer is going to be the Frost Proof Gardenia. For those who seek to enjoy the lovely white flowers perfuming the air in late spring, this is the Gardenia shrub you will want to plant. Since Frostproof Gardenia is not an overly large grower, it will be a great candidate for container growing. Making it an excellent choice for those may hunger for the tropical blooms yet do not live within the hardiness range. Frostproof can be summered outside and over wintered indoors when it is container grown.
A new hybrid Gardenia called Summer Snow™ is a hardier breed with a greater resistance to cold climates. The Summer Snow™ Gardenia flourishes in zones 6-10. [1] Summer Snow™ has larger, more fragrant double blooms than other G. jasminoides which are ideal for cut flowers. [2] It also has very glossy foliage and a larger leaf than other gardenias.