An Asian jewel for a Yuma garden

Are you interested in an exotic, flowering shrub that is a member of the coffee family, is an evergreen shrub and has creamy-white blooms that smell intoxicating?

Before you say such a plant is too good to be true, let me introduce the Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. This beautiful shrub will grow in Yuma, although our desert climate isn’t its favorite spot to live. However, with correct sunlight, soil acidity and amount of water, you can grow a gardenia which will flourish and provide beautiful blooms.

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis grew in China, Japan, Vietnam and Taiwan during the 18th century. Chinese called it “Zhi zi.” For centuries, Asians have grown this plant not only for its blooms, but also for medicinal purposes. The essential oil of the gardenia bloom is used in perfumes and to flavor teas.

John Ellis, a world traveler and plant enthusiast, brought back the first Gardenia to North America in 1761. He named the plant in honor of his friend, Dr. Alexander Garden, a physician and naturalist. Thus, “Gardenia jasminoides Ellis” became the American name for this exotic shrub. Its fragrant blooms made it an immediate favorite with gardeners in America.

There are many varieties of gardenias sold in nurseries. One that enjoys zones 8-11 is the “Summer Snow Gardenia,” which has double blooms. Another favorite is “Veitchii.” The gardenia blooms in Yuma during late winter and early spring, and its dark-green foliage is excellent to use as filler in flower arrangements and wreaths.

When choosing a location for a gardenia, find a spot that is in partial shade, since they don’t like Yuma’s hot summers.

One garden club member stated, “I planted my gardenia under the shade of a citrus tree where it received morning sun and afternoon shade. It loved the spot and grew into a beautiful shrub with plenty of aromatic blooms.”

You can plant a gardenia year-round, but it is best to avoid the summer months. It likes temperatures in the low 70s and enjoys our temperate winter months.

To plant, dig a hole twice the width of the gardenia’s pot and mix the original soil with new soil. Plant the shrub to the same depth on the trunk as it was in the original pot. To keep the plant’s leaves healthy, fertilize with a water-soluble fertilizer twice a month.

Every two to three months, fertilize with an acid-based fertilizer (Miracid) to help keep the pH level of the soil more acidic than alkaline, since gardenias like acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5). One easy means of maintaining an acidic soil is to water once a month with one tablespoon vinegar added to a quart of water.

Blood meal or fish emulsion is a good fertilizer to feed your gardenia in March and June. Gardenias detest salt, which will kill them, so deep watering will help wash salts away from the roots.

Because I have heavy clay soil, when I plant the gardenia I’ve purchased, I will be adding compost, sand and vermiculite. This mix will improve drainage so that the gardenia’s roots won’t sit in water. Overwatering or underwatering can cause gardenia buds to turn brown and drop off before they open.

A gardenia may be a bit tricky to start, but once it has acclimated to its new home, you will have a wonderful plant to enjoy year-round.

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The Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma held their annual plant sale and lecture series during the Yuma Home and Garden Show in January. We would like to thank Yuma Nursery, Lowe’s and Home Depot for supporting our plant sale.

We would also like to thank Alsco-American Linen division for supplying tablecloths for all the display tables. With help from these local businesses, funds were raised to support our community projects.

We would like to thank the horticulture presenters for giving valuable information on a variety of horticultural topics: Judy Miller, “Self-Watering Planters”; Stacey Bealmear, “Rose Culture and Pruning”; Glenn Wright, “Citrus in Yuma”; Yuma Orchid Society, “Orchid Culture”; Janet Rademacher, “Garden Art from Junque” and “Xeriscape Landscaping”; Vince Mikulanis, “Dollar Value of Your Trees”; and Cal Kelley, “Cactus 101 and Cactus Propagation.”

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Nike Reuse-a-Shoe campaign is coming to Vancouver, Canada, just in time for the Winter Olympics. Bins will be placed in six Nike stores for shoe collection, and the program is planned to expand to other Canadian cities soon.

For our winter visitors from Vancouver, you can support our goal of keeping our planet cleaner and our landfills less full by donating your shoes at the following Canadian Nike stores: 1592-6551 No. 3 Road, Richmond, B.C.; 1222-4700 Kingsway, Burnaby, Vancouver; 650 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver, B.C.; 2120 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver, B.C.; 900 Main St., W. Vancouver, B.C.; and 1124 Robson St., Vancouver, B.C.

For Yuma, athletic shoes can be dropped off at: Salvation Army Thrift Store, 600 Catalina Drive; Hospice of Yuma Thrift Store, 1808 S. 8th Ave.; Home Depot, 1111 S. Redondo Center Drive; or the Mesa del Sol Tennis Club in the Foothills. Yuma Garden Club thanks all these wonderful businesses for supporting this great cause. If your business or group wishes to participate, contact Karen Bowen at bowenkaren@ymail.com.

Schools are invited to hold a used athletic shoe drive. Yuma Garden Club will be happy to pick up the shoes collected.

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Karen Bowen is a Master Gardener and member of Yuma Garden Club. She can be reached at bowenkaren@ymail.com. Members of the Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma write articles for this column.