Gardenia True Love

Position your Gardenia True Love where it receives plenty of bright light, ideally full sun with a little protection from the harshest afternoon heat, or soft dappled morning sun. Good light is what drives those richly perfumed ivory blooms, while the glossy dark foliage looks its best in a warm, sheltered spot. Gardenias enjoy humidity, so a courtyard, patio or garden bed with steady warmth suits them beautifully.

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, watering deeply as the top layer begins to dry and easing back through the cooler months. Gardenias are acid-loving feeders, so use a fertiliser formulated for camellias and azaleas through spring and summer to keep the leaves deep green and the flowers coming. Yellowing leaves usually signal the soil needs a little more acidity or iron, so feed regularly and avoid letting roots sit in water.