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Queens of the Garden
There's no doubt about it: the Queens of the Garden are gardenia and hydrangea, oleander and bottlebrush. Most of us either have these in our gardens or wish we did. There is also no doubt that these four have specific requirements if we want them to do more than poke along. We want them to be healthy and bloom heavily, so let's look at what these prima donnas need to thrive.
Organic Matter
Nothing new here. We know that ALL plants need plenty of organic matter in order to thrive. Now is a fine time to replenish the organic matter in the soil around each of these shrubs. It's hard to get too much organic matter, so don't worry about that. Oleander will grow in pure sand, along with dollar weed and gaillardia, but it also thrives in a well-prepared garden bed. There's a huge difference between "growing" and "thriving" and a good quality soil makes it happen. Gardenia will decline in soil that becomes too compacted, too alkaline, or bereft of nutrients. Hydrangea and bottlebrush also need more nutrients and better quality soil. How to get better soil for plants that have been in the ground for a while? Simply lay a half-inch-thick blanket of compost or compost/manure around each shrub out to its drip line. Work it into the soil to a depth of at least an inch and water in well. Another simple and very inexpensive way to provide nutrients over a long period of time is to mulch your shrubs with grass clippings. Don't use clippings from a lawn that has been sprayed with herbicides or insecticides and don't pile them more than an inch or so deep. They will rot down quickly in our summer weather and more should be applied on a regular basis to maintain that inch of thickness.
Location
Just as with real estate, location, location, location! for your precious queens of the garden. Plant oleander and bottlebrush in the sun for nonstop color, but only if you're able to water the site. Otherwise, in those very dry areas that cannot be irrigated, a spot that is sheltered from late afternoon sun will help them survive and improve the flower colors. Morning sun and dappled shade in the afternoon will allow hydrangeas to grow without daily wilting caused by heat stress. But these deciduous (they shed their leaves) shrubs and the evergreen gardenia will need well-drained soil and water during dry spells. Don't even attempt to plant these in areas that hold water during the rainy season.
Nice Pairings
Gardenias are all white blossoms with glossy green leaves and make a perfect foil for hydrangeas and other shrubs like Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow in your garden design. Hydrangeas have found homes in all parts of our regions, often alongside the gardenias. Their huge, blue
mop-head flowers bloom in early summer in bold contrast to the dainty white cape jasmine. Newer hydrangea varieties that
re-bloom, such as 'Endless Summer' and 'Blushing Bride' keep the sweet scene going on until fall. Remember to deadhead the
re-bloomers as soon as the flowers begin to fade so new buds can form. Bottlebrush and oleander respond well to deadheading of individual flowers, but can also be lightly sheared between flower flushes to encourage more blooms. Bottlebrush can grow into a small tree if left untrimmed. There is a weeping variety of bottlebrush that is lovely and blends well in the landscape. Oleander can be grown as a hedge or as a specimen. In either case, it's a fast growing plant that can tolerate drought conditions once established.
Article courtesy of The Garden
Directory, written by Edna Kelly
Edna is a home gardener in SW Florida who enjoys sharing her personal gardening experiences. You can find more of her gardening information at
Dummy Gardening -You Can Grow It, her home on the web.
And don't miss her blog SW Florida Gardening
for stories and tidbits about her own backyard garden!
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