When performing, Billie Holiday wore gardenias in her hair. She followed an elegant fashion…these beautiful flowers have graced the bodices of chic gowns and floated in exotic cocktails. The gardenia has an unforgettable fragrance: spicy, warm, soft, and sweet. Everyone remembers their first breath of gardenia.

Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub, commonly cultivated as a low growing bush or an indoor plant. The foliage of well-fed shrubs is glossy, dark-green, 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long and half as wide.

From summer to autumn, the large, showy flowers open white, fading to deep ivory over time. The flowers can be up to 10cm (4in) in diameter and open over a long period of time. They also make great cut flowers.

Sowing:
Sow at any time of year, ideally at temperatures of around 15-21°C (60-70°F)
Sow in trays or pots of ericaceous (Lime free) compost, cover seeds with a sprinkling of sieved compost and place in a propagator or warm place. Maintain an optimum temperature of 20-25°C (70-75°F). Germination usually takes 21-60 days.

Growing:
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into 7.5cm (3in) pots. Pot on as required. Provide a temperature of 13-18°C (55-65°F) through the winter.
Plant in light to moderate shade, preferably with minimum competition from tree roots. Gardenias resent root disturbance. They also grow well in pots.

Cultivation:
Top dress plants every spring, add plenty of organic matter, such as compost or ground bark, to as large an area as possible.
Apply a monthly fertiliser from mid march and again in late June to encourage faster growth of young shrubs. Feeding will also encourage it to flower, remember to choose a feed that’s designed for ericaceous plants: an acid plant food, fish emulsion or blood meal. Do not fertilize in the autumn, doing so will stimulate tender growth, which may be killed in winter.

Water plants with rain or distilled water to help reduce lime build-up in the compost. Drip-irrigating the shrubs will keep water off the foliage and blossoms and prevents leaf spots. Regular watering is necessary after blooming also to keep the plants in good condition and able to withstand winter weather.

Aftercare:
Proper temperatures are necessary for a gardenia to bloom fully. The ideal temperatures would be 18-22°C (65-70°F) during the day and 16-20°F (60- 62°F) at night. Gardenia needs a constant good light source to produce many flowers. Bud drop is a common problem, it is usually occurs when plant isn't provided with enough light or a poor draining media is used. Gardenias are cold-sensitive and during severe winters can be killed to the ground, but often regenerate in spring.

Pruning:
Prune shrubs after they have finished flowering to remove straggly branches and faded flowers. They can be pruned as far back as you like, but leave some leaves to feed the root system. Cut plants back when they are dormant. This way you can still enjoy flowers the next year.
If you only want your plant to become bushier, simply pinch out the tips while the plant is dormant. This will promote a heavier bloom the following year.
If you are growing your Gardenia as a potted plant indoors, keep it out of direct, hot sun, and allow it to only get bright light.