Radicans Gardenia

Introduction

Gardenia ‘Radicans’ is a prostrate and spreading or horizontal form of gardenia that has become a favorite. This dwarf cultivar of Gardenia is much different from the species. Trailing Gardenia reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet and can spread 4 to 6 feet. This plant has an open, horizontal branching habit that makes it an attractive ground cover. It will not grow into a shrub, as does the species. The small, dark lustrous green leaves generally occur on the stem in 3’s. The leaves are accompanied by one-inch, white, very fragrant flowers in the spring and summer.

Use and Management

Radicans is great in planter boxes or pots and makes a lovely border plant. It is also a good mass or foreground plant for the front of a shrub border. Trailing Gardenia will also cascade nicely over a wall. It is most commonly used as a ground cover.

It is moderately drought tolerant. Plants that are regularly fertilized maintain a dark green color. Although tolerant to a wide range of soil types, Gardenia performs best in rich, moisture-retentive, acid soils where it will receive some shade during the hottest times of the year. Fewer flowers are produced if plants are kept in total shade. Gardenia needs yearly fertilizations to keep the leaves dark green. It is best to prune only after flowering since pruning sooner removes flower buds.

Additional Characteristics

• Soil Moisture: Moist, well-drained
• Soil Types/Tolerance: Normal, loamy clay
• Plant Habit: Compact
• Uses: Planter boxes, pots, border plant, foreground planting
• Additional Features: Easy care, evergreen, fragrance
• Special Resistance: Pest Resistance, Cold Hardy, Deer Resistance, Disease Resistance

Planting

• Available in 1, 3 or 5 gal containers.
• Suggested plant spacing are:
• Plant 18” to 24” OC
• Bed Preparation:
• Spread 3” of bed mix in ground cover beds
• Till 6” deep, rake beds to drain away from structure
• Plant
• Topdress with 2” of double ground (fine) hardwood mulch.
• Hand water in after planting
• Set sprinkler controller to water beds:
• Once every two days for two weeks in spring and early fall.
• Once a day for two weeks when temperatures reach 98+ degrees.
• Have Owner monitor moisture and report over or under watering immediately.
• After two weeks reassess the watering needs, and set at twice a week thereafter.