The gardenias kept growing, almost never stopping, even during the cold months. They would throw up new blooms any time the outside temp hit that sweet spot.

Later on we noticed all the gardenias were growing at different rates. Several months ago we lost hope on one of the gardenias and decided to replace it. The nursery we got them from still had a small supply and even gave us a 20% discount to replace the dying plant.

Now that this new gardenia has had some time to get established, it turned out looking exactly like the one that it replaced. The leaves are sparse close to the ground, some are yellowing, and overall look very dull and droopy. The leaves on our healthy gardenias are a glossy, vibrant green.

A couple weeks ago I decided to pull up this unhealthy plant and rework the soil. I mixed in some fresh potting mix, a little bit of bloodmeal, sulfur, and perlite. I replanted it in its new soil and I've been waiting for results. Maybe I'm just getting a little impatient. I want it recovered by blooming season.

I'm wondering if there's something in the soil (or lack of) that could be causing this. I've tried setting the sprinklers to different watering amounts and frequencies and that doesn't seem to help. Because of the proximity to each other, I'm guessing the drainage is about the same for all of these. I haven't tried adding iron yet, or any of the homemade solutions (like cornmeal). I'm just puzzled how the gardenia three feet over is markedly better, and this happened with two different gardenias sitting in the same location.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Here is a picture of my gardenias. They were about the size of a basketball last year at this time.

Maybe the lime from the stones which look like are made of cement, is being absorbed into one part of your soil more than another?

Remember, gardenias thrive in acid soil...

I lost two Rhododendron bushes due to this, until a landscaper told me what the problem was. So I used extra acidfying product, miracid in particular, and my newer ones are very healthy now...
In fact there are many acid loving plants I was told not to surround cement anything with.

Pick samples from both spots. Have them both tested. Looks like the area your talking about is alomost surrounding your plant more than the other. Or maybe when it rains, lime is carried to that part of your soil more than just a couple feet away..

You know what I am saving for?
A 400 dollar ph test kit. I have been told by a man who has 1000's of plants in his yard that he has saved all his plants knowing his soil...
Of course if anyone knows of a nice realiable kit cheaper, please share.
Let us know what you discover..ok....:-)

It could likely be a Ph problem. I was hoping to notice a difference the second time around after adding the granular sulfur. I don't know the starting Ph, but I think I added enough to lower it by one whole number. It's also slow release though, and maybe isn't working as fast as I'd like. Maybe a liquid acidifer would work faster?

When I am not lazy, I grab a couple of samples and have a landscaping buisness, or a greenhouse, or hardware store check for me..

Hope this helps..:-)

Granite is very prevalent out here. The house across the street is build on a solid granite outcropping. We are fortunate enough to have some actual soil on our side of the road. The natural soil is kind of gritty.

Just wanted to make a correction. The gardenia in poor health has always been that way.

That's good to know about the sulfur. I knew it took it took a long time, but not that long! I'll give the Miracid a try.