Gardenia jasminoides
Cape jasmine
A large evergreen shrub with deep glossy green, elliptic leaves and very fragrant, broadly funnel-shaped white flowers 8cm across in summer and autumn
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | White | Green | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Rubiaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs under glass
Diseases
May be affected by glasshouse grey mould
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.