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Gardenia jasminoides

Image of Gardenia jasminoides

Felder Rushing

Family

Rubiaceae

Botanical Name

Gardenia jasminoides

Plant Common Name

Cape Jessamine, Gardenia

General Description

Best known for its lush foliage, rounded habit and wonderfully fragrant flowers, this East Asian native is a superb evergreen shrub for warmer climate gardens. Its neat, dense form and glossy, dark green leaves provide landscape interest year round. From late spring to summer it produces many large, waxy, ivory flowers whose powerful fragrance permeates the garden. Flowers may be single, semi-double or double depending on the cultivar. Dwarf, cold-hardy, and variegated cultivars are also available.

Acidic, evenly moist soils with good drainage are crucial for plant health and successful blooming. Common gardenia grows best in full to partial sun and needs good air circulation to discourage foliar diseases. Whether used as a specimen or in a mixed shrub border, this is a beautiful and rewarding landscape ornamental. In colder temperate zones gardenias may be container grown and overwintered in sunny indoor locations.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 8

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 10

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Broadleaf Evergreen

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    1'-10' / 0.3m - 3.0m

  • Width

    3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall, Fall

  • Native To

    Eastern Asia

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Orange Red, Brown

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Chocolate

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single, Double, Semi-Double

  • Repeat Bloomer

    Yes

  • Showy Fruit

    No

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Container, Cutflower, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No