returns in
273
days
Bloom calendar
Mystery
Evergreen shrub
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Evergreen shrub
- Height × spread: 5 to 8 ft × 3 to 6 ft (1.5 to 2.4 m × 0.9 to 1.8 m)
- Bloom window: late spring; occasional summer flush
- Color & flower form: white; double; 4 to 5 in across
- Fragrance: 3 strong
- USDA hardiness: zones 8 to 10 (varies by site)
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Cut‑flower notes: Typical vase life is 2 to 4 days; handle petals gently to avoid bruising.
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Larger flowers than a typical gardenia.
- Taller stature suited to screening.
- Later spring bloom with strong fragrance.
Strengths
- Showy corsage‑size flowers.
- Performs well as a fragrant hedge in warm regions.
- Sporadic rebloom in long summers.
Care in one minute
Site in morning sun with light afternoon shade.
Provide acidic, organic soil and 2 to 3 inches of mulch.
Irrigate to keep soil evenly moist, especially in heat.
Feed lightly in spring and again six weeks later with an acid‑forming fertilizer.
Prune after bloom to maintain shape and airflow.
Protect from freezing winds in the coldest parts of zone 8.
Watch‑outs
- Can grow leggy without light pruning after bloom.
- Sensitive to alkaline soils and hard irrigation water.
- Pests and sooty mold can develop in humid weather.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Clemson Extension describes ‘Mystery’ as an older cultivar with very large double flowers and tall habit.
References
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC 1065: Gardenia
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Gardenia jasminoides
- ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Gardenia jasminoides
