Asked on Jul 04, 2015
I had this small retaining wall built, can I plant two gardenias here?
by
Louise
+14
Before the wall, the dirt just sloped to the driveway. I had bought two small gardenias for this area but now I wonder if I should only plant one of them here. The directions say to space 30-36 inches apart and that average grown size is 36" high x 24" wide. This space is 36" across at the narrowest place at the monkey grass and is 5'9" long. I think one would look tiny in the middle (I'm going to put impatiens in the area with it/them.) but would two when they're grown be too crowded? Also, the directions say to backfill with Tree & Shrub Garden Soil. I have some garden soil from Lowe's but I'd read online to put something like mushroom compost in with the soil. So, now I'm confused -- again. :-) I've never grown gardenias before.
15 answers
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Thanks for this idea. I have battled with the dirt-sliding slopes for years.
Patricia Weyant
on Jul 04, 2015
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I'd go with the two gardenia plants. They will take a few years to grow and then will look best trimmed to a nice shape so there should still be room for the impatiens which can be pruned as well. The goal should be for a full display. Not a gappy one. As the for the soil, it looks like it could use some improving. If you are not in a hurry you could dig in a bag of two of manure and the new garden soil. You could add some mushroom compost as well, but it isn't essential. You would need to wait for about six weeks to let the manure rot down so that it doesn't burn the roots of the new plants. You could dig it all over every two weeks during this time to help it along. You'd have a nice rich moisture-retaining bed then for your new garden.
Andrew
on Jul 05, 2015
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I agree that two would be good... they can be pruned back if they get too large once they are grown. You can dig and amend the soil now being as its hot weather, and prepare it for planting in the fall (around october) sometimes transplanting plants from pot to ground in summer heat will stress them and you can lose the plant,however right now they are ok in their pots you could set them on top of the ground where you are going to plant them until time to plant all while you are revamping the soil. Just a thought.
Buster Evans
on Jul 05, 2015
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2 or even 3. Odd numbers seem to look best. I agree with the full display-the more the better!
Pat Keadle Gougler
on Jul 05, 2015
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I'd do ONE gardenia and two lower-growing plants like a dwarf Nandina. 3 plants will look better, more satisfying to the eye.
Linda B
on Jul 05, 2015
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This is at your entry I would do a fairy garden to greet your guest.
Shirley Phillips
on Jul 05, 2015
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It depends upon the kind of Gardenia. I have a Mystery gardenia that is 6' tall and nearly as wide. In your photo I can't see the surrounding vegetation, although it appears the steps continue. I agree with others, odd numbers of plants look most natural. Perhaps you have room for a third gardenia farther up the steps?
Mary Ann
on Jul 05, 2015
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I would clear out the grassy area. If possible I would add another post in the halfway mark,so it would look as if half is setting up higher. Plant the gardening in each section. Add your impatiens and enjoy all the compliments!
Diane Slater
on Jul 05, 2015
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Seeing that you're living in the south, I quite honestly would only plant 1 Gardenia bush in that space. While its young you will have plenty of room to add in different flowers around it, but as it gets older/bigger that space may become limited. Gardenias are generally pretty big once full grown so you will have to make sure that it's properly pruned every year so it does not encroach on your sidewalk. As for the fertilizer, I would just put some all purpose fertilizer around the root ball. Don't go crazy with it though. You don't want to burn the roots. And you don't need any kind of special soil for them. It's best to just plant them in the local soil and fertilize as necessary. One thing to make sure that you do is to remove the (what I call) "fake roots" that are on the top of the root ball. They usually go down about 1/2 to 1 inch of the root ball. You will recognize these roots because they look like a birds nest on top of the ball. You also need to loosen the sides of the ball by running a trowel down the sides so that the roots have room and want to move into the new soil. Lastly, be careful not to bury the top of the root ball. This will stunt its growth. Leave about an inch of the ball above the ground level so that the bush has room to settle down. Then make sure that you water a minimum of once a day for two weeks. Then you can go down to your normal watering schedule. I hope this helped! Good luck!
Jennie Herrick
on Jul 06, 2015
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Only plant one!! A common mistake people make is planting shrubs and trees too close together. You must give thethe room they will need when they are mature. While your Gardenia is still small plant other things around it in your new bed. Annuals would be a good choice. As your Gardenia grows you will pull out the other plants in order to give it room. Or set container plantings around the Gardenia until it needs the whole bed for itself. Happy gardening! The new bed looks great! Don't forget to water water water after you transplant your shrub!
Jina
on Jul 06, 2015
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Only plant one!! A common mistake people make is planting shrubs and trees too close together. You must give thethe room they will need when they are mature. While your Gardenia is still small plant other things around it in your new bed. Annuals would be a good choice. As your Gardenia grows you will pull out the other plants in order to give it room. Or set container plantings around the Gardenia until it needs the whole bed for itself. Happy gardening! The new bed looks great! Don't forget to water water water after you transplant your shrub!
Jina
on Jul 06, 2015
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I am going to chime in and say do not amend the soil. You want to leave the soil level lower so you can add about 4" mulch after you plant them. As it looks in the picture I would not add any soil. Do not fertilize. Water every day for 30 days and the for the rest of the summer make sure to water every 3 days. If it rains do not worry for a couple days. Gardenias do not like to dry out and they do not like wet feet either. I do not prune but in that space you could plant 2 of them -the 1st one dig about 16" in from the front and the 2nd one about 32" back. they are not fast growers in most gardens. I know because I have a few and they grow slow. As it was stated above, loosen the roots but never bury deeper than it sat in the pot. This will kill a plant. Instead of planting annuals in the ground, I would pot some hostas to set in this bed and maybe even pot up some impatiens or ther shade loving plants.
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jul 06, 2015
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they do have fertilizer for acid loving plants, which I believe the gardenia falls into this category. Also i would plant both gardenias, they love water and partial shade you can bury a big plastic pot with drilled holes in the side so the plant would retain more moisture. I have 4 gardenias in pots and they are growing great in partial shade,no direct sunlight.
LILLIAN
on Jul 06, 2015
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Good Luck with whatever you do. I have no ideas.
Marlene Lexie Springer
on Jul 09, 2015
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i live in georgia and we have that awful georgia clay. i have gardenia bushes and they are doing very well. they were heer when i bought the house. seems they are very hardy
D fuhrman
on Jul 23, 2015
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