My neighbor and friend has beautiful gardenia bushes. They are in her protected courtyard and flower profusely every year.
Envious? You bet..
So, how about some cuttings? She most generously gave me LOTS of healthy cuttings!
Look at these glossy, gorgeous leaves. Her bushes are all in containers and seem very happy.
Here is my short video tutorial on how to make cuttings and grow healthy gardenias:
I know, I know: I’m telling you to use clear glass, and here I have a green glass vase. So, the lesson is that a color will work!
Here is what you need to remember:
• Use only healthy, green, intact cuttings
• Use glass bottles: no, they don’t have to be clear!
• Wrap a paper towel around the stem, about half way down.
• Put into the bottle so the toweling acts as a cork
• Leave in moderate light for several weeks
• When they have developed small white roots you can put them in sterile potting soil. Leave in partial sunlight. Gardenias like moisture and humidity, so try putting the pot on a tray with pebbles and only water from the bottom i.e. the pebbles.
I, of course, am going to have SO many perfectly rooted cuttings and no where to put these gorgeous plants! So if you live near me, email me and I will gladly give you a rooted gardenia.
One wonderful benefit of buying some glass bottles was having fun with them in my photo shoot today. We are going to be getting a lot (8″?) of rain in the next few days, so I was out tending my gardens this morning and cut many end-of-season flowers.
I just love how these look like an old-masters painting. Well, sort of….
I have more fall flowers and colors over on Instagram. Hope you will follow along.
Happy weekend everyone!
Thanks for the idea to take some cutting Libby. I will give this a try. Your flowers look nice. I also was out collecting flowers ahead of the storm. Stay safe.
Susie recently posted…In A Vase On Monday—Rich Seasonal Color
Susie: Let me know if you want some of my (hopefully) happily growing gardenias in early spring!
I was at the CH Garden Club meeting last Tuesday : you didn’t go? Will look for you next time…
Count me in. I LOVE gardenias. Most of the ones I planted at my former home did not thrive. I hadn’t considered keeping them in a pot. Thank you!
Jo Maeder recently posted…SAVORY SMACKDOWN
Ok Jo, one has your name on it!
Gardenias are a favorite and I have several bushes around my house…they remind me so much of visits to my grandmother’s house. Maybe I need to try to root a few more! Love your flowers!
Design Chic recently posted…Orange with Holly Hollingsworth Phillips!
I’m running out of space in my gardens, but of course, can’t resist trying these. I’ve had some gardenias in full sun and they were NOT happy: so this spring I will try and find a few corners of partial shade!
OKAY……..I am FOLLOWING YOU on INSTAGRAM!I have a different name over yonder………..antique goddess!
ADORE GARDENIAS!!
LA CONTESSA recently posted…How To Create A BEAUTIFUL Bed
I saw the follow on IG! Many thanks!