The Tahitian Gardenia, named from where it is the national plant, Tahiti, is a beautiful addition to any garden or yard. This ornamental plant is a perfect addition when planning spring additions for your outside gardening activities.
Every spring homeowners look for that special plant that will cap off their gardening adventures and this plant satisfies most. The plant, with its snowy blossoms and pure, exotic fragrance, makes it a favorite of both the nursery owners and buyers alike.
It is a truly unique plant that will give not only aesthetic pleasure to your yard but also one that is aromatically pleasing.
The scent of the Tahitian Gardenia is world renown and has been used to scent candles, perfumes, and other products with its floral wonders. The aroma is sweet and almost over bearing if you walk by the plant on a humid day when the air does not move and the moisture holds in the smell.
If you are able to grow this wonderful plant in your yard and your neighbors cannot, you will be the envy of the neighborhood when the wind blows a little and the fragrance is spread around the block and up the street. It is exotic and will remind the person catching a whiff of tropical nights and romantic times.
The scientific name for the Tahitian Gardenia is Gardenia taitensis. The leaves are evergreen and can grow up to six inches long and three inches wide. The plants look like a traditional tropical plant because the leaves are evergreen.
The flowers are the most visible attribute of the plant. With their white blooms they are very heavily scented. The aroma is reminiscent of a Magnolia bloom and one plant inside the house can perfume an entire floor or room. The flowers have anywhere between 5 to 8 petals and most flowers in this species are sterile.
The Tahitian Gardenia has a nice spread and can be grown in a pot or outside in rich soil. The temperature should never go below 50 degrees and if possible have the plant placed in the shade where it gets at least five hours of direct sunlight.
The soil should be rich and not sandy, though with the right nutrients it can survive in most soils. The plant needs to be trimmed if potted inside to keep it from spreading beyond the stems ability to support the branches and leaves. With a little care and maintenance, the plant can survive for several years giving your home that tropical, exotic smell and a beautiful appearance.
So whether you are looking to scent your home naturally or you just like the appearance of the plant, the Tahitian Gardenia is the perfect plant for both. Make sure you live in a climate that will support the plant outside because a serious drop of temperature will stunt its growth or kill the plant entirely.
You can find the plant at most nurseries, but you might want to order in advance. The plant can also be found online at several venues.
Author Resource:-
Steve Habib operates a landscape maintenance company in Florida and publishes useful, practical tips, advice and articles on several different kinds of plants free to anyone who visits
http://www.different-kinds-of-plants.com/index.html
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