How to Grow Gardenias in Virginia

Find the warmest spot in your garden in which to grow the gardenia. It should be in full sun to dappled shade and sheltered from the wind.

Perform a soil pH test. The gardenia plant requires acidic soil, from 5.0 to 6.5. You can purchase an inexpensive soil testing kit or take a soil sample to the county cooperative extension office for analysis. Be sure to let the agent know that you are going to be growing gardenia so she can give you suggestions on soil amendments for your particular soil.

Dig into the soil in the planting area to a depth of 12 inches. You will need to aerate the soil and remove any large clods of dirt, rocks and other debris. Use the gardening fork to toss the soil and crush it.

Lay down a 3-inch layer of compost or well-rotted manure and any soil amendments suggested by the pH analysis and mix those in to the top 8 inches of soil. Level the area with a rake.

Dig a hole the same depth but three times the width of the pot in which the gardenia is being grown. Gently remove the gardenia from the pot, being very careful not to disturb the root ball, and place the roots in the hole. Backfill the hole with the amended soil and tamp lightly around the base of the plant.

Water the gardenia until the water puddles and then give it 1 inch of water a week.

Place a 3-inch layer of mulch around the gardenia and spread it out the same width as the top of the plant. Do not allow the mulch to touch the trunk of the bush. Prior to the first frost in your part of Virginia, add another 2 inches of mulch around the plant.

Fertilize the gardenia in mid-March and again in late June. Use a fertilizer for acid-loving plants, such azalea food. Gardenias grown in Virginia should not be fertilized in the fall as that will encourage new growth that will be killed with the arrival of frost.

Inspect the gardenia for signs of white flies. Virginia-grown gardenias are especially attractive to this pest. White flies look like tiny, white moths and leave a secretion that will mold and turn black. A pesticide that contains imidacloprid works well on this pest.

Protect the gardenia from the frost in Virginia by covering it. If the plant is small enough, a large garbage bag will provide protection. Otherwise, use a tarp. Heat, such as from Christmas tree lights, under the tarp may help as well.