August Beauty Gardenia Tree

Gardenia jasminoides ‘August Beauty’ Tree Form

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8a-11 (7B?) Find Your Zone

Shrub Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub – (Tree Form)

Height at Maturity: 6-10′

Width at Maturity: 4-6′

Spacing: 8′

Growth Habit / Form: Single Trunk, Upright, Tree Form

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Large, 3″

Flowering Period: Mid to Late Spring, Summer

Flower Type: Double

Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: No

Berry Color: NA

Sun Needs: Morning Sun with Afternoon Shade or Filtered Sun, All Day Filtered Sun

Water Needs: Average, Lower when established

Soil Type: Clay (amended), Loam, Sand (amended), Silt

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Well Drained Moist

Soil pH: 4.5 – 6.0 (Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect

Description

This is the tree form version of largest growing and most impressive Gardenia we offer, ‘August Beauty’ is a double-flowered variety that produces an abundance of large (3″ diameter), pure white flowers from mid-spring into summer that fill the garden with a wonderful aroma to die for. The flowers are excellent for cutting and use in indoor arrangements. The very lustrous and dark green arrow-shape leaves of August Beauty contrast nicely with other plants with a finer texture and lighter color foliage. Plant this fragrant wonder in garden beds or containers near or on patios and decks or around outdoor living spaces where the sweet aroma can be enjoyed from close up.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing to 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 6 feet wide, the August Beauty Gardenia Topiary Tree is ideal for use as a focal point specimen in garden beds or growing in containers. Because they like a break from the midday afternoon sun and cold northwesterly winds, Gardenia are best planted on the east side of the home or other structures. A fine addition to sensory gardens and near windows or outdoor living spaces where the fragrance can be enjoyed.

Suggested Spacing: 8 feet or more apart for space between plants

Cultural Preferences

Gardenia are exceptionally easy to grow in moist but well-drained soils of average fertility and part sun, preferably morning sun with some shade or filtered sun in the mid afternoon hours. The east side of the home or other areas that provide some afternoon shade are perfect. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soils can cause root rot or other plant diseases.

Soil pH is important!

To flower their best and maintain deep green foliage color, all Gardenia require an acid to moderately acid soil ranging from 4.5 to 6.0 on the pH scale. If your soil is alkaline foliage will turn pale-green to yellow and flowering will be diminished.

Soil pH is a measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of soil and is measured on a scale of 1-14, with 7 as the neutral mark. Any measurement below 7 indicates acid soil conditions, and anything above 7 indicates alkaline. If you’re unsure about the pH of your soil and whether or not it’s suitable for growing Gardenia it’s a good idea to test the soil pH in the planting area.

You can quickly test soil pH with an inexpensive soil pH tester probe. To raise the pH (make more alkaline) you can add pelletized limestone to the soil. To lower the pH (make more acid) you can apply Soil Sulfur, Aluminum Sulfate, or Chelated Iron. Adding organic compost to the soil or using compost as mulch can also help to increase acidity and maintain acid soil conditions.

Learn More: What is Soil pH & How To Test & Adjust It

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Gardenias.

How To Plant & Care For Gardenias

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