Add a touch of elegance to your garden with the Gardenia Steady as She Goes™. This Proven Winners® ColorChoice® flowering shrub is a marvel of continuous blooms and year-round beauty. Ideal for garden enthusiasts who appreciate both form and function, this broadleaf evergreen offers vibrant white double blooms that light up the landscape from spring through the first frost.
This gardenia stands out not only for its spectacular blooms but also for its lush, glossy foliage. Growing to a mature size of 3 to 5 feet tall and spreading 4 to 7 feet wide, it forms a beautifully dense, shimmery green canopy that remains attractive throughout the year. The flowers, with their romantic and sweet fragrance, contrast beautifully against the dark green leaves, creating a visually stunning display. These blooms are not just for show; they attract butterflies and other pollinators, bringing life and movement to your garden.
The Steady as She Goes Gardenia is as versatile as it is beautiful. Its upright, mounding habit makes it a perfect choice for a specimen plant in your garden. It can also be used effectively as a foundation plant, providing a lush, green backdrop for your garden design. When planted in groups, it creates a breathtaking flowering hedge, adding structure and privacy to your outdoor space. For those with smaller spaces or looking to add greenery to patios and decks, this gardenia thrives in containers, making it a delightful addition to any garden setting.
Caring for the Steady as She Goes Gardenia is simple. It thrives in sunny to partly sunny locations and prefers moist, well-draining soil. While it can tolerate a range of soil types, from clay to sandy soils, it does best with consistent moisture, especially during dry spells. Once established, this gardenia is relatively drought tolerant. It is bred to withstand heat, but in particularly hot climates, some afternoon shade will help keep it at its best.
To keep your gardenia blooming profusely, prune lightly after flowering to shape the plant and remove any dead or damaged branches. Fertilize in the spring to support healthy growth and abundant blooms. One of the added benefits of this gardenia is its resistance to deer, making it a resilient choice for gardens in areas with wildlife.
With its continuous blooming cycle, fragrant flowers, and robust foliage, the Steady as She Goes Gardenia is an exceptional addition to any garden. Whether used as a focal point, in mass plantings, or in containers, it promises to bring joy and beauty throughout the seasons.
Photo courtesy of Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Shrubs
