Gardenia thunbergia – White Gardenia – Indigenous South African Shrub / Tree – 10 Seeds

This is an evergreen shrub or small tree, 2 to 5 m in height, with a smooth, whitish, usually straight main stem up to 250 to 300 mm in diameter, and short, rigid branchlets. The leaves are carried in whorls of 3 or 4 crowded near the ends of the branchlets. They are a glossy light green, hairless, softly to thinly leathery and conspicuously veined. Simple with an entire, wavy margin, variable in size, up to 140 x 60 mm but usually smaller, mostly oval, tapering abruptly to a rounded or blunt tip while the base tapers onto the stalk. The flowers are large, showy, creamy white and heavily perfumed, particularly at night. Flowers are produced abundantly during summer (October to March), peaking in late summer (January to March).

USDA Zone – 8

Season to Sow – Spring