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Question & Answer

We are discussing Gardening, Growing and Green Thumbs!
With Brian Walters, Diana O'Brien and Pauline Cornish

Question:
I have several gardenias (old ones) and I would like to know if I can prune them after they finish flower and how much (if possible) can I cut off. Also many leaves go yellow anything that I can do to avoid this?? Thank you

Answer:
Diana - Gardenias are delightful evergreen shrubs which grow in many situations - best in temperate climates but they also do well in cooler zones given a sheltered site with protection from frost.

Cultural needs are those of partial shade - morning sun seems to suit and a rich but well drained soil slightly on the acid side - pH 6.5.

Pruning is best done after flowering and if attended to each year there should be no need to cut back too far which is often resented by very old specimens. Suggest from now on you just clip back carefully to a point where you can see new growth emerging.

As evergreens, older leaves that turn yellow are doing what nature says they should do. However new leaves that turn yellow, whilst normally showing green veins, often indicate an incorrect soil pH (too alkaline); incorrect fertiliser (use one for acid loving plants); temperatures that are too extreme; too much water (soft yellow leaves)or conversely insufficient water (crisp yellow leaves).

While the classic scented blooms make Gardenias desirable shrubs for the home garden as you can see they are not always easy to grow.

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