Zhang,+Shongyi

=Favorite or Interesting Plant=

General description of this plant:
Gardenia jasminoides (syn. G. grandiflora, G. Florida) is cultivated as a house plant. This species can be difficult to grow because it originated in warm humid tropical areas. It demands high humidity  to thrive, and bright (not direct) light. It flourishes in acidic soils with good drainage and thrives on [68-74 F temperatures (20-23 C)] during the day and 60 F (15-16 C) in the evening.Potting soils developed especially for gardenias are available. G. jasminoidesgrows no larger than 18 inches in height and width when grown indoors. In climates where it can be grown outdoors, it can attain a height of 6 feet. If water touches the flowers, they will turn brown.

Most interesting thing(s) about this plant:
InFrance, gardenias are the flower traditionally worn by men asboutonnièrewhen inevening dress. InThe Age of Innocence,Edith Whartonsuggests it was customary for upper-class men from New York City to wear a gardenia on their buttonhole during theGilded Age.

A story about me and this plant:
When I was in fifth grade in elementary school, my dad brought me the first gardenia. I was not interested in this plant at the most beginning. However, in June of that year, the flower bloomed. The fragrance of the white flower was so sweet-smelling. I love that smell. My dad let me to plant the flower. My home is in Beijing, the capital of China, which was a cold and dry place like Michigan. I did not take care of the flower very well. The flower died in next month. My dad bought another gardenia back. My father was born in the southern part of China, which was much more humid than Beijing. My dad is very good at planting flowers. He said he will take care of this gardenia and the flower is still alive. Every year when I come back to my home in summer vacation, it is just in the flowering season of gardenia. My home was filled of flower fragrance. I really prefer and love this flower.

Web site(s) that has good information about this plant:
http://www.garden.org/plantguide/?q=show&id=2135