SCIENTIFIC NAME: Gardenia jasminoides

COMMON NAME: cape jasmine, common gardenia

FLOWERS: White in June and very fragrant. Up to 3" in diameter.

GROWTH HABIT: Grows 3' to 5' tall and wide.

LEAVES: Opposite and whorled with entire margins. Appressed venation (stick through leaf) with revolute (wavy) margins. Light green color. Up to 4" long.

OTHER: Hardy to zone 8 (Birmingham and Atlanta are too far north). Typical southern landscape plant. New growth is green. Does best in full sun. If planted in the shade, white fly becomes a big problem (they release a honey dew which leads to sooty mold). Very drought tolerant. A member of the Rubiaceae family. A species closely identified with the deep South.