The August Beauty Gardenia Shrub is a southern green bush, if you plant this shrub next to the front porch, then during the summer months the fascinating fragrance will have you spell bound for hours as the pleasing aroma fully satisfies your senses. The bloom on the Gardenia is one of the most elegant flowers that any plant produces, the August Beauty Gardenia Shrub Plant also has one of the long flowering times ranging from May till August will makes this bush a real treat in any landscape. The August Beauty Gardenia Shrub Bush grows to be 5 ft tall and 3 ft wide, this plant has flushes of green foliage with knock out white flowers in the winter time and it is fairly cold tolerant being able to stretch from zones 7 to 11. Gardenias are relatively easy plants to grow, and they are tolerant of many different soil types. The August Beauty Gardenia Shrub Plant does prefer acidic soil with a little afternoon protection. Too much shade will result in a loss of the amazing summertime flowers. To keep the leaves of the August Beauty Gardenia Bush a dark glossy green, they will need yearly fertilization. Use a chelaten ion fertilizer to help keep the foliage at their peak color. Native to China, The August Beauty Gardenia Shrub Plant, made it's way from Asia to America in 1761, John Ellis is the first known American to cultivate this bush, and he did so from his plantation in South Carolina.