Gardenia jasminoides ( Cape Jasmine ) is a flowering evergreen plant that is native to most of south Asia. Cape Jasmine is a heavily scented flower that produces white blooms from Spring to Autumn. They enjoy warm temperate or sub-tropical climates or in colder climates grown indoors. Cape Jasmine makes a tidy hedge, a suitable feature plant and are suitable in containers.
Suitable for Warm Temperate, Sub-Tropical and Tropical climates. Also suitable as an indoor plant in colder climates.
Also commonly known as Cape Jessamine, The Gardenia, Danh-Danh or simply Jasmin. Cape Jasmine is native to Vietnam, Southern China, Korea, Japan, India and Bangladesh.
The Gardenia can be a little fussy and requires a slightly acidic soil. Preparation is important as the soil, location and watering is critical for the plants success. Read through our Growth and Germination Instructions before considering whether to purchase.
Growth
Gardenia jasminoides is an evergreen shrub that reaches heights of up to 2 metres (6 feet). Cape Jasmine requires a unique set of conditions to achieve success and is ideally grown in isolation away from other plants in the garden. If kept happy, Gardenias can produce large white blooms from Spring through to Autumn or make a splendid evergreen addition indoors.
Soil
The first of these conditions is a slightly acidic soil of a Ph Level 5.0-6.5. Lowering the natural Ph level of the soil is best done prior to transplanting. The easiest way at home is to dilute some vinegar (1 part vinegar 4 parts water) and saturate the soil. It may also be necessary to purchase a soil tester to check on the soil from time to time.
Location
The second condition is location. Cape Jasmine is frost tender and damage can begin to occur as low as 5 °C (41 °F). And they are also sensitive to hot summer sun. So here in Melbourne, containers would be the only choice because both winter and summer reach extreme enough temperatures to cause fatal damage. The best location is either in part shade or a spot they will only receive the sun during the morning hours.
Watering
Finally, the watering can be a bit different for Cape Jasmines. It is better to add a little vinegar or lemon juice (just a tablespoon per 5 litres) to a watering can as it softens the water from the standard Ph Level. Not only does the softened water continue to condition the soil, it also protects the plant from chlorosis.
These are all best practices for achieving great results with Cape Jasmine. Not all of them are necessary to grow the plant successfully but they are worth knowing prior to deciding if their beautiful white flowers are worth the extra effort.
FAMILY:
Rubiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate (indoors or protected), Sub Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
5°C to 30°C / 41 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Humus rich, slightly acidic.
LOCATION:
Morning sun or part shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 2 metres (6 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 2 metres (6 feet)
pH:
5.0-6.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Medium
POLLINATION:
Bees, Birds and Moths.
MATURITY:
18-24 months
GERMINATION RATES:
55-65%
GERMINATION TIME:
4-12 weeks, dependent on conditions
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Coming Soon
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
EDIBLE:
No
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage – 4°C (Fridge). 1-2 years
FACTS ABOUT GARDENIA JASMINOIDES (Cape Jasmine)
A chemical compound, Crocetin, usually found in Saffron is also obtained from Cape Jasmine berries.
Evidence of Cape Jasmine plants can be dated to the Song Dynasty in China (960-1279 AD).
The Genus honors the Scottish physician and botanist, Alexander Garden who settled in South Carolina, USA in 1752. He introduced the plants to the United States and had them in his garden around 1762.
