2 g Jubilation Gardenia Shrub with Fragrant White Flowers

Well, I have yet to see the blooms. I live So. Cal and I expect that it will. Planted in 1/2 sun 1/2 shade.

Here are some planting tips for this very fragrant Gardenia! Location, Location, Location It’s always easier to avoid plant problems than to fix them, and location is the key to success. Gardenias perform best when they receive intense morning light and shade from the hot afternoon sun. Sun exposure is necessary for proper flower bud development – with too little sun plants will produce leggy growth and few flowers. On the other hand, too much sun can cause blooms to fade quickly. Also consider soils when selecting a planting site. Gardenias require an organically-rich acidic (pH 5.0-6.5) soil with good drainage. Give plants plenty of room to stretch their roots – gardenias do not tolerate crowding and root competition. Finally, select a location with good air circulation to limit pest problems. Winter Protection Winter weather is another consideration when placing gardenias, especially for more northern gardeners. Gardenias can suffer cold damage at 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Select a site protected from extreme temperature fluctuations and strong winds in winter, such as the east or northeast side of a house. Be prepared to cover plants when temperatures drop to 15 degrees or lower. Use a porous material such as a sheet, blanket or cardboard box, and keep plants covered until temperatures rise. Heavy winter mulch applied after the first killing frost in autumn will protect the shallow roots over winter. TLC It takes a lot of resources to produce all of those magnificent blossoms. Apply an acidic fertilizer according to soil tests when new growth begins in spring and again mid-summer. An azalea or camellia fertilizer will work well, or choose blood meal, fish emulsion or bone meal. Soil pH impacts the availability of nutrients to gardenias. Gardenias require low soil pH between 5.0 and 6.5. When pH is too high, some nutrients, such as iron, may become limited. Soil tests are the best way to determine both soil pH and the specific nutrient needs for your garden. Water is also essential for flower development. A plant will drop its flower buds before opening if water stress is an issue. To avoid this problem, maintain an evenly moist soil, but avoid overwatering, as gardenias do not like wet feet. Mulch plants to help maintain even soil moisture. Mulch is also important for weed management around plants because shallow-rooted gardenias do not tolerate cultivation. Gardenias produce the buds for spring blossoms in late summer and fall of the previous year. To avoid removing these flower buds, wait to prune until early summer after the first big flush of flowers. If plants are well suited to their location, very little pruning will be needed. Cut back uneven branches and shape lightly.