Gardenia jasminoides

RHS Plant Profile

Cape jasmine

Other common names

Cape jessamine, common gardenia, gardenia, jasmin

Synonyms

Gardenia augusta, Gardenia florida L., Gardenia grandiflora

RHS Recommended

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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A large evergreen shrub with deep glossy green, elliptic leaves and very fragrant, broadly funnel-shaped white flowers 8cm across in summer and autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Rubiaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: China, Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

May be grown outdoors in pots and containers in moist but well-drained soil in partial or light dappled shade in a frost free site, but this must be in a sheltered, frost-free warm area. Best to bring indoors if temperature dips below about 6°C. Otherwise, grow under glass in lime-free soil in bright filtered light in moderate humidity

Propagation

Propagate by seed, greenwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Sub-tropical

Pruning

pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to glasshouse grey moulds