Surprise Gardenia

Surprise Gardenia (Gardenia augusta) is a glossy evergreen shrub with large, strongly fragrant white flowers, reaching 1 to 2m tall and wide. It is a mixed selection: you receive a hedging gardenia chosen from our range, so the exact variety is a surprise. That makes it a lower-cost way to plant a perfumed hedge or a scented border.

Why you'll love it

• Intense perfume. Pure white flowers release a strong, sweet fragrance that carries across a courtyard or along a path.
• Glossy evergreen foliage. Deep green leaves keep the plant looking good all year, whether or not it is in bloom.
• Makes a dense hedge. Gardenias clip into a handsome evergreen hedge, and the plants in this mix are chosen for hedging.
• A saving on named varieties. Because the variety is chosen for you, it costs less to plant a long run of gardenia than to buy named types.
• Suits large pots. A big container on a patio puts the scent close at hand.

Where it works best

Fragrant hedges. Plant 1m apart in a single row. The shrubs close into a glossy, scented screen, and a light trim after flowering keeps the line tidy.

Sensory and feature planting. Set a group beside a seat, a window or a path where the perfume is noticed. Gardenias suit sensory gardens for exactly that reason.

Large containers. Use a generous pot of acidic potting mix, move it into shelter for cold snaps, and feed regularly with acid loving plant fertiliser.

Growing Surprise Gardenia in Australia

Position and climate. Gardenias like dappled shade, part shade or bright indirect light, and will grow in full sun too. They want a frost free, sheltered spot and appreciate humidity, so they suit subtropical and warm temperate gardens best. In cooler areas, plant against a warm wall or grow in a pot that can be moved under cover.

Soil. Use free draining soil that is acid or neutral in pH and rich in organic matter. Mix compost through the planting hole and mulch the surface.

Water and feed. Water regularly until the plant is established, usually around 12 weeks, and a seaweed solution helps. Feed every two to three months with a fertiliser for acid loving plants.

Pruning. Prune after flowering if the plant needs shaping. Aphids and scale can build up on soft growth, and a horticultural oil spray controls them.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Surprise Gardenia as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. The variety is chosen for you, so size, leaf and flower may differ a little between plants. Expect a small leafy plant rather than one in bloom, and a season or two of growth before it forms a hedge.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our full gardenia range
• More fragrant plants
• Best hedging plants
• Gardenia care guide for Australian gardens

Common questions

Which gardenia variety will I get?

It is a mixed selection of hedging gardenias, so the variety is chosen for you. If you need a particular leaf, size or flower, choose a named gardenia from our range instead.

Is gardenia safe for pets?

No. Gardenia is mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep it where pets that chew plants cannot reach it.

Why do gardenia buds drop?

Usually from dry roots, sudden temperature swings or moving the plant while it is in bud. Keep the moisture steady, mulch well and avoid disturbing it once buds form.