An Introduction to the Characteristics, Key Planting Points and Uses of Mountain Gardenia

Mountain gardenia is the ripe fruit of Gardenia jasminoides, a plant in the Rubiaceae family; once dried it is often called zhizi or huangzhizi, and in some places the gardenia plant itself is simply called mountain gardenia. Gardenia is an evergreen shrub with glossy, leathery leaves that stay green all year round. In early summer it produces pure white flowers with a rich fragrance, and when the fruit ripens it turns yellow-red and looks like a small lantern, making it very easy to recognise.

Common gardenias include large-leaf gardenia and small-leaf gardenia, among other types. Ornamental varieties mostly have double flowers and bloom profusely but bear relatively little fruit; those grown for fruit and medicinal use are mostly single-flowered varieties, which set plenty of plump fruit. Whichever type it is, the plant offers flowers to admire and fruit to use.

Gardenia likes a warm, humid climate, and enjoys sunlight while also tolerating a little shade. It is best planted in loose, fertile, slightly acidic soil with good drainage, and is usually propagated by cuttings, layering or sowing seed. The most common problem in cultivation is yellowing leaves, mostly caused by soil that is too alkaline or by iron deficiency, which can be improved by adjusting the soil pH and supplementing iron fertiliser as appropriate. In daily care, also pay attention to ventilation and light, and guard against pests such as aphids and scale insects.

Mountain gardenia has quite a wide range of uses. Its fruit contains a natural yellow pigment and is a traditional source of food colouring, often used to colour rice, cakes and pastries; in traditional medicine, mountain gardenia is cold in nature and bitter in taste, and is mostly used to clear heat, purge fire and cool the blood. In addition, because gardenia is evergreen all year round and its flowers are delightfully fragrant, it is also often planted in courtyards and gardens for ornamental purposes.