Botanical Name: Gardenia augusta 'Mystery' (G. jasminoides)
Common Name: Mystery gardenia
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape the largest cultivar of Gardenia in Southern California.; grows erect with spreading stems forming a loose, open, rounded canopy unless pruned; foliage and flowers are also larger than other varieties
Height 3' - 6' (8')
Spread equal
Growth Rate moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors thrives in full sun locations – needs summer heat for best growth; prefers partial sun at desert sites
Soil requires a rich well-drained loam; avoid wet clay soils
Hardiness hardy to 20° F (zones 7-9, 12-16, 18-24); prefers low-elevation humid sites
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, opposite or whorled, elliptic, 3"-4" long; dark green and shiny; lateral veins run parallel out to the margins (leaves larger than variety 'Veitchii')
Flowers white, double-petaled, very fragrant, fairly large (3"-5" across); mostly single at ends of stems – June through September
Fruit if present, a small capsule
 
Propagation:
softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings
 
Usage:
a medium to large filler or informal hedge, for tropical or subtropical landscape themes; valued for their large-sized fragrant white flowers
 
Landscape Care:
Watering requires regular – tolerates heavy irrigation if planted in well-draining soils
Fertilizing feed at least 3 times annually for best flower production; use balanced fertilizer and iron chelates to correct chlorosis
Pruning periodically head back to develop a fuller shape tends to become leggy with age
Pests/Diseases aphids, scale, mealybugs; chlorosis in high pH soils
Special Conditions/Other plant high in well-mulched soil
 
Origin: China
Family: Rubiaceae

Notes:
 
PDF
Your pictures go here