The most commonly cultivated gardenia species isGardenia jasminoides, which is native to southern China and Japan.
Everywhere else, they are overwintered indoors and brought outside for the summer.
Some bloom only once a year, others bloom repeatedly.
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All gardenia varieties have fragrant flowers.
The variety is also referred to as Aimee Yoshida or sold under the trademark name First Love.
It can be grown in containers.
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The two-inch semi-double flowers have a button in their center, hence the name.
Gardenia jasminoides Crown Jewel
Gardenia.net
This dwarf variety stands out by its cold-hardiness.
It has a spreading habit which makes it an excellent container plant.
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The three-inch double flowers appear on old and new wood.
This variety blooms heavily and repeatedly, which can be encouraged by a light pruning after each bloom.
Its double four-inch flowers are often compared to camellia flowers.
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It has an upright growth habit and grows slowly, which makes it suitable for container planting.
The double, two- to three-inch flowers start to appear in early summer.
It may bloom sporadically during the rest of the summer.
Gardenia.net
It has a mounded, semi-dwarf growth habit so its a great container plant.
It is one of the hardier gardenia varieties.
The flowers are double and large.
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Its double flowers cover the plant during a long bloom period.
The flowers can be pinwheel- or star-shaped, and there is also a cultivar named Double.
When shopping for gardenias plants, you might come acrossgraftedgardenias, which are pricier.
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Tahitian gardenia (Gardenia taitensis)Green Pea Design / Getty Images
