The Essential Guide To The Gardenia
Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides
Common name: Gardenia
General Knowledge: The Gardenia, with its creamy white petals and intoxicating fragrance, originated in the warm regions of Africa, southern Asia, and Australasia. In Australia, gardenias are commonly used in perfumery and in making essential oils, while also being a popular choice for corsages and decorative garden plantings due to their lush foliage and aromatic flowers. An interesting fact about gardenias is that they are named after Dr. Alexander Garden, an 18th-century Scottish-born American naturalist, yet ironically, he never saw a gardenia in bloom himself.
Colour Range: The primary colour for Gardenia flowers is white, although some may have a cream hue.
Australian seasonal availability: Gardenias make their delightful appearance from late spring to early autumn. They're most prolific during the summer months. However, thanks to greenhouse cultivation, they can sometimes be accessible outside their natural bloom period.
Australian wedding and event season availability: Given their bloom season, gardenias are a popular choice for weddings and events held from late spring through early autumn in Australia.
If commercially grown in Australia: Gardenias are grown commercially in Australia, especially given their delicate nature which makes them less suitable for long-distance transportation.
Buying tips: When purchasing gardenias, seek buds that are just beginning to unfurl or have freshly unfurled with a firm centre. Steer clear of blooms with cream-coloured centres or any hint of browning on the petals.
Design tips and advice: Gardenias serve as focal points in floral designs, thanks to their entrancing aroma and pure white appearance. Their intoxicating fragrance and short vase life make them a popular choice for short-term displays, notably during festive occasions like Christmas and New Year.
Flower maturity: The optimal maturity to seek when buying gardenias is when the buds are either beginning to open or have just opened with a tight centre.
Expected vase life: The ethereal beauty of gardenias is fleeting, with a vase life lasting between 3 to 5 days.
Typical stem length: The stems of gardenias generally measure between 10 to 20 cm.
Typical bunch size: A typical bunch of gardenias consists of 5 stems.
Floral preservatives to use: It's advisable to use acid-forming, well-balanced, extended-release fertilisers such as azalea fertilisers.
Ethylene sensitivity: Gardenias are highly sensitive to ethylene, a naturally occurring gas that can hasten their aging.
Temperature requirements: Gardenias perform best in day temperatures of 18-21°C and night temperatures of 15-18°C. Gardenias should be stored at 2-4°C, but they are not to be stored for extended periods.
How to avoid potential problems: Gardenias require gentle handling. It's crucial to avoid touching the petals, as they bruise with ease.
Cooling and cool rooms: Given their sensitivity to ethylene and their brief vase life, it's vital to store gardenias at cool temperatures, between 2–4 °C.
Hydration and vase solutions: Using floral preservatives can enhance the vase life of gardenias. Given their short stems, some may need unconventional setups like suspended frames above water trays to ensure proper hydration.
Care of ethylene sensitive products: Given gardenias' high sensitivity to ethylene, ensure they're not exposed to sources of this gas, such as ripening fruits.