Gardenia Tree Braided – Desert Horizon Nursery

Gardenia Tree Braided

Gardenia jasminoides
Categories:
Shrubs  ·  
Flowering Shrubs
Light
Morning sun / afternoon shade
Water
Keep the root zone evenly moist but never waterlogged. Check containers daily during extreme heat; water when the surface begins to dry. Reduce watering in winter and use rainwater or low-alkalinity water when available.
Size
4-6 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide
Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Toxicity
Toxic — Pets
Description
An evergreen gardenia trained into a small tree with braided stems, glossy foliage, and intensely fragrant white flowers. Requires special care in Phoenix’s heat, dry air, and alkaline conditions.
Bloom Time
Spring to summer
Deciduous / Evergreen
Evergreen
Special Features
Drought Tolerant, Fragrant
Growth Rate
Slow to moderate
Growth Habit
Upright tree – multi-trunk
Mature Size
4-6 ft tall × 3-4 ft wide
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Container / Patio, Desert / Xeriscape, Fragrance Garden, Specimen / Accent
Garden Style
Container / Patio
Soil
Amended / Rich, Prefers Acidic, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Asparagus fern, Irrigated settings, Mondo grass, Shaded
Toxic — Pets
Toxic to pets (mild GI upset)
Care Instructions

Light: Bright filtered light or gentle early-morning sun; protect from midday and afternoon sun, reflected heat, and hot winds.

Water: Keep the root zone evenly moist but never waterlogged. Check containers daily during extreme heat; water when the surface begins to dry. Reduce watering in winter and use rainwater or low-alkalinity water when available.

Soil: Rich, acidic, well-drained soil with a pH of about 5.0–6.0. An acidic potting mix in a well-drained container is usually more practical than Phoenix’s alkaline native soil.

Mature size: Typically maintained at 3–6 feet tall and 2–4 feet wide in containers; ultimate size varies with cultivar, training, and pruning.

Bloom: Main bloom season is spring through early summer; some cultivars repeat into fall. Extreme heat and moisture stress can reduce flowering.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen.

Growth rate: Slow to moderate; slower under Phoenix heat or alkaline-soil stress.