question about "old time" gardenias

I was at my mother's home last week. She is in her 70's. She remembers everyone having VERY large, wonderfully scented gardenia's growing up in Katy, Tx. She cannot find them now and nurserymen don't know what she is talking about. She is a WONDERFUL gardener so I know she is correct.

I am living in Katy now and I wondered if anyone knows about them. I know the flowers used to be large as well as the bush. Seems like they are all small flowers and bushes now.

Yes, everybody want the small everblooming types these days. The new ones are not as hardy but I do love everblooming. I have some of the old large type and have now got them planted all over the yard, even in the peacock pen. They root real easy and if you are going to any of this years swaps I can fix you up.

I "saved" a wonderful old gardenia from destruction (with permission) about two years ago when a neighbor's house was torn down. It took hours to dig it, but it's doing well and blooms off and on all year - even after Hurricane Ike blew a fence down on top of it about 8 months after it was transplanted. In truth, I think it's happier in my garden where it's getting more sun (previously it was shaded by enormous pecan and oak trees). It probably dates from the 1930s!

I also have another old-time gardenia given me by a friend, but it doesn't bloom all the time - only once a year.
Leslie

Thank you both! If you all know anyplace to order, names etc. I would love more information. I would love to give one to my mom!k AND have one for myself.

Go look in an old cemetary, those old gardenias were once popular as a reliable evergreen and sweet reminder of the homestead.

My mother's mother had one planted by theIr country home's front porch for the spot of green and fragrance.

I've been calling nurseries here in the Houston area. One said August Beauty was good, but I think I have had that and it was small. They all said people want plants that bloom more, but it is a shame that we can't keep great plants like these big gardenias.

There is one growing in my family cemetery. It is very popular for taking cuttings from each year when the family gathers there.

It doesn't bloom more than just a short time in the spring. The blooms are large and very fragrant. It roots with little effort.

I'll gladly share cuttings with you this spring if you LMK that you are interested.

Charlene

Thank you everyone!

I would think that ther would be some heirloom plant socities that might be able to help.. Ive not done any research on them, it was just a thought that popped into my head...

Sally, try looking for Cape Jessamine. My friends mother had one for years, and there is one on her gravesite. I helped her move it from one corner to the other one year, and in the process, we were able to get a couple of pieces of it from the roots. Last I checked, mine was still thriving. It's a very old variety, almst a pass along plant.

Annette

Yes, that is one of the names I was given when I called around.Thanks!

I have a large Gardenia thunbergia or Starry Gardenia. It took me a few years to figure out, but if we get a good rain for a few days or if I deep water it for three days in a week it will bloom for three days about a week later.

DV identified it for me this month and they say it bears fruit with seeds so next season I'm going to water it more and see if it makes a diffrence.

Hasn't been pruned since Dolly layed it over so I plan on taking cuttings this fall.