Variegated August Beauty Gardenia
Gardenia jasminoides ‘Variegata’
Plant Details
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 8a-11 Find Your Zone
Shrub Type: Evergreen Flowering Shrub
Height at Maturity: 4-5′
Width at Maturity: 3-4′
Spacing: 3′ for solid hedge; 8’+ for space between plants
Growth Habit / Form: Bushy, Dense, Upright
Flower Color: White
Flower Size: 2-3″
Flowering Period: Late-Spring, Summer
Flower Type: Double
Fragrant Flowers: Yes – extremely fragrant!
Foliage Color: White edged in 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 – more info, Drought (when established), Heat, Humidity, Insect
Description
On what has to be the most unique Gardenia variety we’ve grown, the large, glossy, boldly variegated cream-white leaves edged in dark green are truly striking! What’s more, from late spring to summer the Variegated August beauty Gardenia produces an abundance of waxy, ivory colored double blooms. These 2 to 3 inch diameter blooms are somewhat lost against the bright foliage but you’ll know they’re there when you catch a whiff of their intoxicating sweet aroma. There’s nothing like the fragrance of gardenia. The flowers and foliage are excellent for cutting to use in indoor flower arrangements. We’ve found this one to be a little slower growing than some of its faster growing cousins, which doesn’t bother us at all!
As with other Gardenia jasminoides varieties, for best performance, we suggest filtered sun or shade during the mid-afternoon hours. Morning and evening sun are okay.
Note: Here in north central Georgia USDA Zone 8a, the Variegated August Beauty Gardenia has done very well in our gardens since planting it spring of 2015. As with most other gardenia, this variegated selection will lose a portion of its leaves after late winter in early spring.
Landscape & Garden Uses
Growing 4 to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, the Variegated Gardenia is idea for use as an accent or in groupings in home foundation plantings and landscape borders. Because they like a break from the midday afternoon sun and cold northwesterly winds, in the colder range were they will grow (USDA Zones 8a-8b) gardenia are best planted on the east side of the home or other structures. Needless to say gardenias are fine additions to sensory gardens and near windows or outdoor living spaces where the fragrance can be enjoyed.
Suggested Spacing: 3 feet apart for solid hedge; 8 feet or more apart for space between plants
Growing 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. As with so many other ornamental plants, constantly soggy or wet soils can cause root rot or other plant diseases. As mentioned above, because they like a break from the midday afternoon sun and cold northwesterly winds, in the colder range were they will grow (USDA Zones 8a-8b) gardenia are best planted on the east side of the home or other structures. USDA Zones: 8a-11 Find Your Zone
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 get advice from our experts on how to plant, fertilize, prune and water Gardenia plants…
How To Plant & Care For Gardenias
Plant Long & Prosper!
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I have only had them planted for a few weeks, so it’s too soon to tell how they will do. So far, they seem happy in their East facing location. The variegated leaves give a lot of visual interest and I look forward to seeing them in bloom.——————————————-We are so glad you are pleased with your purchase! Thanks for the great review! Beth | WBG 🙂
I have planted this and it’s doing great. I’ve ordered a lot of plants from Wilson Brothers and everything has been great. The only way it could be better is if they reopened the nursery. It was such a great place to find great plants!!!————————————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the kind words and great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
This gardenia has nice variegation. It arrived quickly, was well packaged, healthy and ready for planting. We use it in a tropical garden to provide year round interest and color.——————————-We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review! 🙂 Beth Steele | WBG
Great looking plant I’ve never been disappointed the plants arrive so healthy and beautiful.——————————–WBG Reply: Hi Patricia, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the Variegated Gardenia. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks again!
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens
Tall and lovely ————– WBG Reply: Hi Abigail – Since you kept it short and sweet we’ll do the same. Thanks for the review! – Brent | Wilson Bros Gardens





















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