The August Beauty Gardenia ( Gardenia jasminoides ‘ August Beauty ’ ) is a pop evergreen flowering shrub make out for its incredibly fragrant , pure white blooms that perfume the garden from later spring through summertime . With its lustrous dreary gullible leafage that provides year - round interest and heavenly perfumed blossom it ’s easy to see why gardeners love this industrial plant . However August Beauty Gardenia is only audacious in zone 8 - 11 , meaning it requires particular caution to outlast cold clime . If you subsist where winter get parky , follow these tips to successfully overwinter your August Beauty Gardenia .
Choosing the Right Location
Proper site pick is central to protect your August Beauty Gardenia during winter . This plant thrives in a location with full sunshine to partial shade and moist , acidic , well - draining soil . Shelter it from rough winter twist , which can damage branch and dry out leaf . The ideal overwintering site block wind while still allow some sun to reach the plant life .
Position the bush against a wall or fence on the south or eastward side of your menage . Near the introduction of a construction also ply insulation that keeps etymon warmer . If growing your Gardenia in a container , place the peck right up against the planetary house when temps swing . A location near a heat root like a warm bulwark or vent is also beneficial .
Providing Winter Protection
When winter temperatures in your area start to drop below 30 ° F , it ’s fourth dimension to add up insulation around your August Beauty Gardenia An idealistic way to protect the intact shrub is to build a skeletal frame around it and fill the envelopment with leaves , wheat , or pine needles . commercial-grade insularity blanket also work well For container plant , wrap the pot in house of cards wrap or place it inside a bucket trace with styrofoam .
guarantee the winter protection snugly around the Gardenia , but avoid compressing leg . go forth the top uncover on sunny solar day so brightness level can still reach the flora . Ventilate the enclosure on mild twenty-four hours to prevent moisture buildup .
Preventing Root Damage
Insulating the roots is just as important as protect the top growing . Mulch heavy around the base with several in of shredded bark , leaves , or pine pale yellow . The mulch insulate the grime and prevents rapid temperature fluctuations that can damage rootage .
For potted Gardenias , place the container on insulating mats or blocks to forbid the low temperature from beam up from the ground into the soil . Move container plants into an unheated garage or shed to shelter the roots if temps drop below 25 ° F .
Maintaining Adequate Moisture
Dry filth and leaf are more susceptible to cold damage . Water your August Beauty Gardenia deeply before winter arrives , then uphold water when the soil start to feel dry . Rain and snowmelt also lend moisture over wintertime .
Prevent winter nothingness from excessively dry out the Gardenia ’s leaves by obnubilate them on a regular basis with weewee on meek days . Anti - desiccant spraying make a protective film that seal in wet . Keep humidness around the plant high by placing gravel tray filled with water near the alkali .
Avoiding Early Spring Growth
If temperature warm up in late winter , the Gardenia may breach dormancy and start develop too early while it ’s still vulnerable to rime . forbid premature growth by keeping winter protective cover in spot until your average last spring frost date passes . Continue watering during quick spells so the plant does n’t get strain .
Providing Extra Care to Container Plants
Gardenias grown in pots are more debunk and require extra shelter . isolate the container , water more frequently as needed , and move the pots into a protect garage or stale frame if hard freezes threaten . Keep the plants outdoors during winter as much as potential , only bringing them in when temperatures drop below 25 ° F .
Choose a nerveless spot indoors near a window for adequate light . piddle meagrely while inside , just enough to keep soil slightly moist . Bring container gardenias back outdoors in spring once nighttime low stay above freeze .
Timing Spring Pruning
annul pruning the August Beauty Gardenia anytime from evenfall through early spring to prevent detrimental cold - stamp new maturation . Wait to prune until after the last saltation freeze when temperatures warm up and the plant resumes active growth . Prune to keep shape , remove all in wood , and eliminate branch damage by winter .
Gardenia Winter Care in Pots
If your Gardenias are plant in container or hatful . The binful can be go to a cover arena and envelop in heavy blankets , cardboard , or even plastic bubble wrap that you reuse from your rubbish can . This work well for milder climates that experience an occasional frost or freeze . If you know in an area where it always freeze or even snows , you should move your container inside a garage or greenhouse during the winter .
Cutting Back Gardenias For Winter
gardenia only require occasional pruning to keep their size and shape . This is well done in the late summer after the last blossom has bloom . The shrub goes mostly hibernating in the winter , but you do n’t want to rationalize it at this time . You could damage minor developing bud that will become bloom once spring arrives .
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FAQ
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