About

An evergreen shrub with deep glossy green leaves and very aromatic, single, white, saucer-shaped flowers in summer and autumn.

About the genus

Gardenia are bushy evergreen shrubs or trees, with attractive glossy leaves and large, fragrant white funnel- or bowl-shaped flowers with from 5 to 11 lobes

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Patio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow outdoors in a warm, sheltered position in moist but well-drained, acid or neutral soil in partial or light dappled shade. Should tolerate a few degrees of frost. Otherwise grow under glass in lime-free compost in bright, filtered light in high humidity. See gardenia cultivation
PruningPruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by softwood or semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and scale insects and, under glass, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to botrytis (grey moulds)