Care Of Gardenias
Gardenia Care For Florida Landscaping
Gardenia plants produce white flowers and are popular in Florida landscapes. Some types bloomig throughout the growing season, from spring to fall, Gardenia are captivating with their fragance and color. If the smell is a bit overwhelming to you, they can be located farther out in your landscape. Good care of gardenias keeps them healthy with beautiful flowers.
Placement When Planting Gardenias
Plant Gardenias along pathways, at corners of buildings, and near windows. They are great for borders, ground covers, singular, or mass plantings as hedges. Gardenia need to be in full sun, partial shade, or shifting shade. Too much shade can reduce blooming and loss of normal dark green color in leaves. They need to be in well- drained soil and want good air circulation. Proper placement is the foundation for Gardenia care.
Types Of Gardenia Plants
Gardenia plants come from a rootstock on their own rootsystem “Own Root” or they are “Grafted”. Planting Gardenias in North Florida should be restricted to “Own Root” because “Grafted” are not hardy below 28 degrees. “Grafted” Gardenia do better in Central and Southern Florida.
There are variations of flower size, Form, blooming time, duration, and growth characteristics among types. Some popular shrubs are “August Beauty” which bloom from sprlng to fall with a height 4-6 feet, “Mystery” Which grow to a height 4-8 feet, “Radicans” also known as “Prostata” height 1-2 feet, and “Veitchii” that bloom spring to fall with a height 2-5 feet.
Some types that are “Grafted” are Gardenia Trees which are very popular in Florida. They are great for landscapes, placed at corners of buildings. Gardenia Trees do not grow too tall and produce large amounts of flowers.
Watering For Gardenia
It is important to follow proper watering practices for Gardenia. They do best in well- drained soil. The soil needs to be moist but not soaked. Poor drainage or over watering can cause Gardenia yellow leaves. But during dry periods such as drought watering is necessary to keep them from wilting. Watering once a week should be sufficient for care of Gardenias.
Watering controls the number of buds remaining on the plant. If water stress occurs on a healthy budded plant, many will fall of before opening. Large variations in soil moisture should be avoided, to keep from having problems with blooming.
Fertilizer Care Of Gardenias
Proper fertilization is required for good growth and flowering production. A “Complete” granular fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and iron is recommended. Established Gardenias require two or three applications per year. Follow recommendations on the label for proper amount, too much can cause root problems.
One application in February for Southern Florida, March for North and Central. A second in September for North, October for Central and South Florida. A third application may be done in the summer for the best care of Gardenias.
Yellow leaves (Chlorotic) can occur due to a defficeincy of iron. It can be corrected by a foliar treatment with “Liquid Iron”. Once again follow directions on label for mixture and duration between applications.
Insects On Gardenia
There are insects in Florida that can injure Gardenias unless proper insect control and care of Gardenias is used. Most injurious are Scales, Aphids, Spider Mites, Thrips, and Whiteflies.
Scales include “Cotton Cushion”, “Soft Brown”, and other types, When mature they can be hard to eliminate. Spider Mites can cause damage during hot dry periods. Thrips can cause unopened buds to drop. Aphids suck the jucices out of the stems, which can become a severe problem.
An organism called “Black Sooty Mold” Which lives on the honey dew secreted by Aphids can be found on the leaves. This is very common on Gardenias. The black substance does not hurt the foliage, but prevents the leaves from getting sunlight reducing photosynthesis.
Regular inspection helps control insects from getting out of hand. Proper treatment with insecticide is needed when pests become noticeable. A program of using a “Systemic” insecticidal care of Gardenias on a regular basis can also help in controlling insects.
Conclusion
No matter what shape or form Gardenia adds attraction to your landscape, with a mix of deep green leaves and blooming white flowers. With the proper care of Gardenias you will be rewarded with healthy eye appealing plants with wonderful white color.
Kurt Kmetz
Planting Tips
Trees And Shrubs
Planting trees and shrubs requires more than just digging a hole and putting them is the ground. Many times I have seen landscaping companies and home owners install new trees and shrubs only to watch some of them die from incorrect planting. This is not only a waste of time, but more important a loss of money. You don’t have to be a professional horticulturist to be successful and have the landscape you desire. For healthy trees and shrubs it all starts at the beginning with a good foundation, by following the right planting tips .
Before purchasing, selection is very important. Make sure that you only choose trees and shrubs that are adaptable to each location. Light requirements and mature size, need to be considered. Quality is also important, so shop at a reputable garden center or nursery.
For shrubs, pick ones that are not “Broken”, “Cracked”, or “Scared”. For trees, choose ones that are “Upright” and full of Branches (Not Thin). Look at the foliage. If they are Dropping their Leaves or don’t look Healthy with Droopy Leaves. If they are, Don’t Buy Them!
Planting Tips
| 1) | Prepare area by removing debris such as rocks, dead leaves, dead branches, and old mulch using a garden rake. Grade area to a proper level for proper drainage. |
| 2) | Do Not add amendments for they are not beneficial to use when planting. The roots will be kept from spreading. Shrub Roots need to grow beyond the branch spread. Roots of large trees need to grow at least 30-feet from the trunk, providing support and for them to find nutrients. |
| 3) | Remove tree or shrubs from it’s container by laying it on it’s side and hitting the pot with heel of your hand. pull it out after it has been loosened. If it does not come out freely, cut the container down the side away the “Root Ball”. |
| 4) | Break apart “Root Ball” down the side with garden shears, an ax, or your hand. This gives the roots a chance to grow outward to become established quicker, and absorbing nutrients and water faster. |
| 5) | Avoid air pockets by filling the hole with water first. Place tree or shrub in the hole and fill the sides with dirt but not compacting it to tightly. Water after the tree or shrub when you are finished planting. |
| 6) | Do Not Plant or Bury Trees or Shrubs Too Deep. Plant them no deeper than they have been grown in the container. The “Root Ball” should be even or slightly above the soil surface to allow for settling. I recommend slightly above. Planting at the correct level assures they will receive the right amount of air. |
| 7) | Plant the good side facing forward (the direction you want them to be seen) because they might not have been shaped properly by the retailer or nursery before being sold. This is especially for shrubs. Proper pruning after tree or shrubs become established will help them to grow well-rounded. |
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Planting tips for shrub placement – Do Not place shrubs too close to each other. You want to give them room to grow to their mature size (Read Label) It is important to know how each type will eventually grow in size. Plant shrubs Three Feet apart and Three feet away from Buildings, or Fences. Over planting is a common mistake causing over-crowding and over spending. |
| 9) | Apply mulch over the root ball around the base at a two-to-three inch layer. Do Not pile mulch up against the trunk of the tree or shrub leaving space, and spread it evenly around it. Too much mulch piled against shrubs can cause root or stem rot. They need air circulation. |
| 10) | Planting tips for fertilizing – Fertilize after “Thirty Days” of planting. Place Granular Fertilizer one to two feet away from the trunk around the tree or shrub at an even rate. Place top of mulch or pull mulch apart and place on top of the soil. Use trees and shrubs fertilizer 8-10-10. Follow directions for amount on the fertilizer label. |
| 11) | Planting tips when planting trees – It is important they have a strong foundation and are placed upright. Staking larger trees is recommended for support protecting them from wind before roots become established. form a saucer like basin with a burm around the tree to aid in watering. |
| 12) | Do Not plant trees that will become large too close to buildings for the roots can damage the foundation. Limbs can break off during storms damaging roofs and windows. |
| 13) | Do Not plant trees where the roots will grow under driveways and sidewalks for the roots can damage concrete or brick Plus, the tree can have health problems from roots being buried under them. |
| 14) | Remember if you have a large tree on your property line the owner is responsible for trimming limbs growing into your neighbors yard, and any damage done from broken falling limbs. |
Following these planting tips will ensure healthy growing trees and shrubs. Proper shrub planting will avoid any of them from having possible problems, which can lead to them eventually dying. Correct trees planting gives a good foundation for them to grow and live for a long time in your landscape.
Kurt Kmetz
