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Date:

TopTropicals

Q: I am thinking about buying a Gardenia as a present for my mother's garden in Florida. What is the difference between grafted and non-grafted gardenias?

A: Gardenias are one of our finest shrubs, growing to a height of about six feet in warmer areas of the United States. They have very attractive, shiny evergreen leaves that are about four inches long and, each spring-summer, produce the loveliest of white flowers that are delightfully scented. In areas with alkaline soils, like Florida, only grafted gardenias can be planted in the ground: graft provides nematode resistance, tolerance to poor, sandy and alkaline soils, and healthy, dark green foliage. Grafted varieties have rootstock of Gardenia thunbergia - the most resistant species of all gardenias.

Check out our Gardenia varieties.

Date:

Scorpio - 10/23-11/21. A WATER sign ruled by both Mars and Pluto.
Scorpio's plants are often found in remote places or on poor ground. They will likely have thorns, can be red in color, and grow under adversity. The good news is, most of these plants are nearly indestructible! This makes them desirable for every gardener.
The reproductive organs are ruled by Scorpio, so these are plants that balance the hormones, regulate the menstrual cycle, help with childbirth and pregnancy. Until this century, Scorpio was ruled by Mars, and the herbs associated with it had to do with the urogenital system and the colon. Many of the herbs related to Scorpio are cleansing and revitalizing. Now, astrologers assign Scorpio to Pluto, discovered in 1930 (Pluto is said by astrologers to be a higher octave of Mars). Physiologically, Scorpio involves the processes of catabolism and anabolism, the death and regeneration of body cells. Diseases of Scorpio are often involved with the slow buildup of toxic substances in the body (carcinogens, etc) or in the mind (anger, jealousy). Scorpio loves a spice with depth and complexity. Camphor Basil adds rich flavor to every dish it seasons, and its own aphrodisiac tendencies appeal to Scorpio's lusty nature.

Scorpio Zodiac lucky plants: CeibaBaobabPistachioNutmeg, Black-eyed Susan Thunbergia, CombretumsDragon fruitMedinillaCamphor BasilCuban Oregano, Vanilla orchidHibiscus, Various cacti and succulentsAdenium, HoneysucklePeppersCordylineSpider plantJasmineGooseberries, Wild indigoBougainvilleaAloe veraRaspberryPalmettoHorseradish treeCamphorAllspice and Bay Rum, JujubeSweet MimosaAgave, MilkweedHong Kong Orchid TreePony TailDwarf Poinciana, BottlebrushesClusiasCrocosmiaZig-Zag CactusDracaenaFire BushHoyasJatrophaKalanchoeSausage treeDevils Backbone, Pereskia, Red PlumeriaFirecrackerRattleboxRhoeo, Calendula, Geranium, Thistles, Mint, Sage, Catnip, Coriander, Sandalwood, Ginseng, Euphorbias, Acacias.

For other signs information, see full Plant Horoscope.