TheNaturePlanet

"Gardenias are blooming, gardenias are blooming. It's the faint youth and pure love." I believe many people have heard this song. It vividly presents all the symbolic meanings of gardenias, which represent eternal love, lifelong waiting, etc., and it can be regarded as the dream flower for many people. However, there is a plant called Shui Hengzhi, and many people can't distinguish it from gardenias. Let's learn about it together in the following text.
In fact, there is no essential difference between gardenias and Shui Hengzhi. They refer to the same plant, but they are just called differently in local languages. Shui Hengzhi is an alternative name in Cantonese. It's also called Yellow Gardenia or Mountain Gardenia, and is mostly used as an art bonsai. However, the art bonsai doesn't mean laying the flowers in water. Instead, it refers to cutting any section of the gardenia tree, immersing it in water or soil, and waiting for it to gradually grow branches and leaves for ornamental purposes.
Then, apart from Shui Hengzhi, what other names does the gardenia have? Gardenias are also known as Yellow Gardenia, Golden Gardenia, Silver Gardenia, Mountain Gardenia Flower, Lin Lan, Mu Dan, Yue Tao, Mu Hengzhi, Jade Lotus Flower, etc. The flowering period is generally from April to May each year. When it doesn't bloom, the leaf color is evergreen throughout the four seasons. It originated in Asia and is cultivated in most areas of China.
What varieties of gardenias are there? Taking the varieties sold in the current flower market as examples, there are Large-leaf Gardenia, Yellow Gardenia, and Water Gardenia. Among them, Large-leaf Gardenia is a variety with particularly large leaves, suitable for planting in southern regions. The soil requires acidic medium for maintenance. As for Yellow Gardenia, it is a wild variety of gardenia. Its leaves are half the size of those of Large-leaf Gardenia. The petals are single-petaled. It will bear orange fruits in autumn and is a vigorous ornamental plant. And Water Gardenia, also known as Sparrow Tongue Gardenia, can grow up to 2 meters high. Its soil requirements are simple. It can grow as long as there is a planting medium.
In addition, apart from being used as indoor decoration, the flowers of gardenias can be extracted into essence, and the fruits can be used for dyes and traditional Chinese medicine. In conclusion, gardenias and Shui Hengzhi are the same plant with different names. The latter specifically refers to the gardenia plants used in bonsai creation.