The ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia is a popular selection, combining beauty with resilience. Its appealing fragrant blooms and evergreen foliage make it a delightful addition to diverse landscapes.
Unveiling ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia
The ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides ‘Prince Charles’ PP29,304) is a Proven Winners introduction. This cultivar offers improved heat and cold tolerance, making it more adaptable than traditional gardenias. It thrives across USDA Hardiness Zones 7 through 10, with some reported success even in southern Zone 6b.
It boasts continuous blooming, producing abundant, fragrant, double white flowers from spring through summer and often until the first frost. These blooms contrast beautifully with its glossy, dark evergreen foliage. The plant typically reaches a compact 2.5 to 3.5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, though it can grow up to 5 feet tall and 7 feet wide. Its strong, sweet fragrance is often detectable from a considerable distance. It also exhibits deer resistance.
Essential Care for Thriving Blooms
For optimal growth, ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia requires specific environmental conditions. This plant prefers locations that receive full sun to partial shade, ideally with at least four to six hours of direct sunlight daily. In regions with intense summer heat, some afternoon shade can help protect the foliage and flowers.
‘Steady As She Goes’ requires moist, well-drained soil with an acidic pH, ideally between 5.0 and 6.2. It does not tolerate consistently dry or waterlogged conditions, which can stress the plant. Applying a 3-inch layer of shredded bark mulch helps maintain consistent soil moisture and keeps the roots cool.
Consistent watering is essential. Regular irrigation, especially during hot weather, promotes continuous blooming and prevents bud drop. Once established, provide deep, infrequent watering to encourage deeper root growth and better drought resilience.
‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia benefits from regular fertilization. It has higher nutrient needs compared to some other shrubs. Apply a granular fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs or acid-loving plants, such as those for azaleas, in early spring. A second application in late spring can further support vigorous blooming.
Pruning is minimal, as this gardenia blooms on old wood and maintains a naturally compact, mounding habit. Prune after the main flush of blooms in late spring or early summer to shape the plant or remove dead, damaged, or unruly branches. Avoid heavy pruning, as it can reduce flower production.
Optimal Planting and Placement
Selecting an appropriate planting site is important. Plant it where its intoxicating fragrance can be appreciated, such as near patios, walkways, entryways, or beneath windows. This versatile gardenia suits various landscape designs, including borders, mass plantings, foundation plantings, or informal hedges.
Before planting, ensure the soil is well-draining and acidic. If soil is heavy clay or alkaline, amend it with organic matter and soil acidifiers to improve drainage and lower the pH. When planting, dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
Proper spacing allows for healthy air circulation and root development. For individual specimen plants or mixed borders, space ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenias 4 to 7 feet apart, depending on desired mature spread. If planting a dense hedge, a closer spacing of 3 to 5 feet on center is suitable. This gardenia also performs well in containers, providing flexibility for smaller spaces or for moving the plant to a sheltered location in colder climates. However, container-grown gardenias may experience slightly reduced cold hardiness compared to those planted in the ground.
Troubleshooting Common Gardenia Challenges
Even with optimal care, ‘Steady As She Goes’ Gardenia may face common issues. Bud drop, where flower buds fall off before opening, is a frequent concern. This is often attributed to inconsistent watering, especially insufficient moisture during hot, dry periods, or sudden environmental changes. Consistent soil moisture helps prevent it.
While noted for disease resistance, gardenias can still be susceptible to pests. Whiteflies and mealybugs are occasional invaders affecting plant vigor and appearance. Manage these pests with horticultural oil applications, which smother insects without harsh chemicals. Sooty mold, a black, superficial fungus, may appear on leaves, often secondary to honeydew from sap-sucking pests like whiteflies. Addressing the primary pest infestation typically resolves the sooty mold.