August Beauty Gardenia - 3 Gallon

Transform your landscape with the heavenly fragrance that blooms for months, not weeks.

The August Beauty Gardenia is a premium evergreen shrub that delivers what other gardenias can't: continuous blooms for up to three months at a time, extending deep into summer when most gardenias have finished flowering. This exceptional flowering shrub has become the gold standard for gardeners seeking profuse, highly fragrant, velvety double white flowers that reach an impressive 3 inches across. With its rich, glossy foliage and enormous, rose-like pure white blossoms and vigorous growth, the August Beauty Gardenia forms a beautiful natural hedge, screen, or container accent. The thick, lustrous, lance-shaped, dark green leaves create stunning year-round beauty while thriving in a variety of soils. Unlike standard gardenias that bloom briefly in spring, these longest-blooming gardenias provide continuous blooming from mid-spring to fall which actually intensifies during the heat of summer.

Why You'll Love the August Beauty Gardenia

Extended Bloom Season: Bloom for up to three months at a time, signaling the season in the most fragrant, luscious way, with peak flowering continuing when other gardenias stop. August Beauty Gardenias get their name because they bloom deep into summer - no other gardenias bloom this vibrantly in August!

Exceptional Flower Size & Fragrance: Fragrant pure white blossoms, nearly 2 to 3 inches across, produce an intoxicating perfume that fills your entire garden. These superb flowers for corsages, wedding bouquets, or elegant centerpieces offer both beauty and practical use.

Vigorous Growth & Adaptability: Vigorous plant growing to 5 feet tall or more, making a beautiful specimen in the garden, or a lovely hedge. Easy to care for and thrives in a variety of soils, making it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Low-Maintenance Landscaping: A hassle-free choice due to pest and disease resistance as well as deer-tolerant characteristics - perfect for busy homeowners who want maximum impact with minimal effort.

August Beauty Gardenia Details

• Botanical Name: Gardenia jasminoides 'August Beauty'
• Type: Evergreen flowering shrub
• Mature Size: 4–6 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide (can reach up to 8 ft over time)
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast — 12–18 inches per year
• Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade preferred; filtered sunlight
• Soil: Well-drained, acidic soil; tolerant of various soil types
• Water: Moderate; consistent moisture during establishment
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7, 8, 9, 10

Growing Conditions

Soil Adaptability: Thrives in well-draining, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.5) but thrives in a variety of soils. However, acidic gardenia fertilizer 2 times per year optimizes performance, and heavy clay or waterlogged conditions should be avoided.

Light Requirements: Filtered sun, morning sun and afternoon shade is best. Optimal placement provides 4-6 hours of morning sunlight with protection from harsh afternoon heat.

Hardiness: Zones 7-10, making it suitable for most southern and coastal regions with protection from harsh freezing temperatures.

Care Instructions

Watering: Maintain consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. Deep, weekly watering during dry periods, with 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Pruning: Remove dead or crowded branches any time. Avoid heavy pruning or pruning for shape anytime from fall until bloom, as buds form in fall. Light shaping after blooming encourages bushier growth.

Fertilizing: Fertilizing in late winter/early spring and again in late summer with acid-loving plant fertilizer. Use an acidic gardenia fertilizer 2 times per year for optimal bloom production.

Landscaping Uses

Versatile Applications: August Beauty Gardenia's versatility makes it suitable for:

• foundation plantings
• fragrant hedges
• specimen plants
• container growing
• flower gardens.

Strategic Placement: Plant August Beauty in strategic places where you and your guests can enjoy it most - in transition areas (entry to a gazebo, doorways, a gate), near a deck or walk, or even in enclosed areas to capture its essence. You truly won't find a more beautiful hedge than one composed of August Beauty Gardenias with their glossy leaves and continuous fragrant blooms.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far apart should I plant August Beauty Gardenias for a hedge?
Space plants 3-4 feet apart for a full hedge effect, or 4-5 feet apart for individual specimen planting. This spacing allows proper air circulation while creating the desired screening effect within 2-3 years.

How long does the August Beauty Gardenia bloom, and when?
Blooming heavily for 3 months, from mid-spring into summer, with the unique ability to continue blooming from mid-spring to fall. Peak flowering occurs during the summer months when most other gardenias have finished.

Are August Beauty Gardenias disease-resistant and easy to care for?
Yes, they are pest and disease resistant as well as deer tolerant and easy to care for. With proper placement and basic care, these shrubs require minimal maintenance while delivering maximum fragrance and beauty.

Can I grow August Beauty Gardenias in containers?
Absolutely! Their moderate size and container accent capability make them excellent for patio gardens, with patio tree forms especially effective in formal designs.