Variety is the spice of life, and the same is true of your garden. Various sizes and colors can make all the difference in creating a small slice of floral paradise. Don’t forget fragrance. This is where the vibrant fragrant flowers of the beautiful Miami Supreme Gardenia shrub excel.
Gardenia (gar-DEEN-ya) jasminoides (jaz-min-OY-deez) is an evergreen shrub native to tropical and subtropical regions to the East, such as Japan, southern Asia, and China. The Miami Supreme is perennial and blooms every spring.
The full botanical name of this plant is gardenia jasminoides miami supreme. It is also known as:
- Miami Supreme
- Miami Supreme Cape Jasmine
- Cape Jasmine Miami Supreme
- Cape Jessamine Miami Supreme
Miami Supreme Gardenia Care
The Miami Supreme is a bit of a temperamental plant, so you’ll have your work cut out for you if you want it to thrive and bloom.
But the fragrance produced by its flowers will make any of the trouble getting it to bloom completely worth it.
Size & Growth
The Miami Supreme can grow up to 8′ feet tall and 6′ feet wide at its largest. More likely, you’ll likely be looking at a shrub around 6′ feet tall and 4′ feet wide.
The size of the Miami Supreme makes it great as a hedge option as well.
While it’s possible to grow this shrub indoors, this tends to stunt its growth and requires particular positioning. Leaving it to grow outdoors is the best way for it to reach its full potential.
Even if left on its own, the Miami Supreme typically has no issues reaching full maturity.
Flowering & Fragrance
The Miami Supreme blooms in the late spring and early summer, but it can bloom in the fall as well for a pleasant out-of-season surprise. The blooms are ivory-white and closely resemble roses in their shape.
The fragrance of these flowers is part of why the Miami Supreme is so popular. Smelling them is intoxicating, and the scent is powerful.
Combined with their classy appearance, the fragrance makes them excellent for centerpieces or arrangements.
Light & Temperature
Miami Supreme loves its sunlight, and if your region is a bit on the cooler side, it can remain in the sunlight all day and flourish.
If you live in a region closer to this shrub’s native tropical temperatures, it will appreciate a bit of shade throughout the day.
These gardenias thrive in warmer temperatures but not excessive heat. During the day, they prefer temperatures between 65° – 70° degrees Fahrenheit and enjoy only a slight drop at night around 60° – 65° degrees Fahrenheit.
Trying to grow it outside of these consistent temperatures may result in a failed bloom!
Watering & Feeding
Keeping the soil consistently damp is essential, but don’t overdo it. The Miami Supreme doesn’t do well if it’s rooted in soggy soil.
They also need high humidity, so be sure to give them a daily misting to keep them somewhat damp.
The Miami Supreme gardenia also requires plenty of nutrients. Peat moss and manure are good to add to your soil to provide this shrub with the ‘food’ it needs.
Read these: Tips on Gardenia Fertilizer
Soil & Transplanting
The Miami Supreme prefers acidic soil, with a pH between 5.0 and 6.0. Soil close to foundations or concrete walls tends to have a very high pH, so try to avoid areas like those.
Gardenias are finicky when it comes to transplanting and need a very specific soil mixture for success. Use two parts peat moss, one part sand, and one part sterilized houseplant potting soil.
Grooming & Maintenance
You should prune and shape your gardenia in the late fall and winter months while it is dormant. It promotes branching and causes the bush to become more compact.
The time to prune the flowers is when they begin to fade. Cut them off just below the leaf node, and you should have new flowers starting to bloom in no time.
Other Gardenia varieties can you grow.
How To Propagate The Miami Supreme
Attempt to propagate your Miami Supreme gardenia in the early spring. Stem cuttings just below a leaf node are your best bet, but seeds and greenwood can also get the job done.
Dip the stem into a rooting hormone before placing it into a soil mixture like the transplanting soil mixture. From there, keep the soil moist and wait for it to begin taking root.
Miami Supreme Pests Or Diseases
Several issues can arise when attempting to grow a Miami Supreme, but luckily they are usually easy to prevent or fix.
Pests
Whiteflies and mealybugs are issues for many plants in warmer climates, and this gardenia is no exception. Insecticidal soap or horticultural oil is usually enough to handle these pests before they become a real issue.
Gardenia aphids and spider mites also enjoy the Miami Supreme, but proper Gardenia care is the only defense you need against these bugs. The pests thrive in dry environments, and keeping your gardenia damp with moist soil will be enough to keep them away.
Diseases
Powdery mildew, sooty mold, and leaf spots are some afflictions that can affect the health of your gardenia. Be sure to spray your Miami Supreme with an antifungal agent if you notice any of these problems arising.
What Causes Yellow Leaves on Gardenia?
Ensuring your soil has good drainage will go a long way to preventing many of these diseases. Be sure to check your plant every day so that you can catch these issues before they grow out of proportion.