Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Monday - May 29, 2006

From: Ocala, FL
Region: Southeast
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Height of non-native gardenias
Answered by: Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

How tall does a gardenia tree get?

ANSWER:

I assume you mean the Common gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides). It is a native of China and Japan introduced to North America as an ornamental. Its maximum height is 5-6 feet. It has a dwarf cultivar that reaches only 2-3 feet. There are also African Gardenia trees such as Gardenia thunbergia that reaches 16 feet and Gardenia volkensii, 26 feet. Hawaii has an endangered Gardenia (Gardenia brighamii), 20 feet, as well as several other species of Gardenia. In fact, there are some 250 species of Gardenia from Africa, Asia, Australasia and Oceania. There are no North American native Gardenias.
 

More Non-Natives Questions

Mercer Society of Harris County Plant Sale from The Woodlands, TX
March 15, 2011 - Love the Name! Anyway, the Mercer Society of Harris County will be having its annual plant sale late this month and as usual I will be attending. I'm trying to find some tropicals and sub-tropicals...
view the full question and answer

Black fungus on non-native ixora from Palm Beach Gardens FL
January 29, 2011 - We have 7-8 ixora plants that are side by side and all have developed a black fungus or substance on them. The substance is not only on the plant, but has spread to the wall they are adjacent to. Ca...
view the full question and answer

Will non-native hostas do well in South Carolina from Seneca SC
May 20, 2013 - I am moving to SC from CT and want to bring some of the hostas I grow in CT. If I plant them in the shade in SC, will they do well down there?
view the full question and answer

Native or non-native hibiscus for Kansas
August 13, 2005 - I recently purchased a 10" Hibiscus flowering plant and would like to know how to care for it. How much water and sunlight does it need and how long I can expect it to live? It is a beautiful plant a...
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native Star jasmine
April 27, 2009 - My Jasmine leaves are turning red. I think it's a Star Jasmine as it get those pretty little white fragrant flowers that look like a star. What is causing this and is it something I should be conce...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.