Our Favorite Gardenia Varieties
Known for their intoxicating fragrance and beauty, gardenias are beloved and adored across the world. Also known as Cape Jasmine, their bright white blooms contrast with dark waxy leaves to dazzle onlookers with a captivating allure. The species is native to southern Asia, with subtypes spanning from Africa to Australia.
While there are nearly 150 varieties of the amazing flower, below are a few of our favorites.
Types of Gardenias
Number 1 - The High Camp Gardenia. We worked tirelessly to create our own variety of the flower that blooms year-round. Native to the central California Coast, the High Camp Gardenia represents sheer beauty. The show-stopping white flowers contrasting beautifully with dark, forest green leaves and stems create a new type of sensory experience. Truly, an ephemeral luxury.
Number 2 – The ‘Belmont’ Gardenia. Perhaps the most well-known variety of gardenias, the Belmont typically blooms from late spring through the early summer months. It is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 3 – The ‘Dasiy’ Gardenia. The ‘Daisy’ blooms from late spring through the early fall. Native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China, the flower has small yellow centers, which make it easy to identify.
Number 4 – The ‘Chuck Hayes’ Gardenia. This particular variety blooms early through late summer. It is also more lance-shaped than other varieties and is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 5 – The ‘Frost Proof’ Gardenia. The name says it all – this variety of gardenia is best known for its endurance during colder weather. It is able to withstand chilly spring frost, and it continues to bloom throughout summer. The ‘Frost Proof’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 6 – The ‘Heaven Sent’ Gardenia. This variety of gardenia is best known for its colorful seed pods. During the blooming season, which is typically spring through summer, the ‘Heaven Sent’ exhibits orange, red, and yellow seed pods. The ‘Heaven Sent’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 7 – The ‘Jubilation’ Gardenia. This gardenia variety has a very peculiar blooming cycle. Similar to the other types, the ‘Jubilation’ blooms in the late spring. However, this gardenia actually re-blooms periodically throughout the late summer months. The “Jubilation” is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 8 – The ‘Kleims Hardy’ Gardenia. The ‘Kleims Hardy’ is well known for its distinctive star shape. Additionally, the bright yellow stamens are a clear indication of this variety. It is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 9 – The ‘Pinwheel’ Gardenia. The ‘Pinwheel’ has distinguishing narrow petals. This particular variety blooms from the late spring all the way to the early fall. The ‘Pinwheel’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 10 – The ‘Celestial Star’ Gardenia. The ‘Celestial Star’ variety sees blooming begin in the late spring till mid-summer. However, similar to the ‘Jubilation’, it actually re-blooms just a few months later in the fall. The ‘Celestial Star’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 11 – The ‘Veitchii’ Gardenia. The ‘Veitchii’ is a special variety of gardenia as it is commonly regarded as one of the more reliable types. This gardenia received this accolade due to its blooming patterns – spring through fall, and also during a warm winter. The ‘Veitchii’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 12 – The ‘Aimee’ Gardenia. The ‘Aimee’ variety has a bloom time of late spring to early summer. This particular variety has very rose-like petals, which stand out as they’re bigger than most of the other varieties. The ‘Aimee’ is native to Japan and the southernmost regions of China.
Number 13 – The ‘Tiare’ Gardenia. The ‘Tiare’ species of gardenia has a similar blooming schedule to the other varieties, stretching from spring through summer. While this variety is native to China, the ‘Tiare’ thrives in Hawaii and is beloved around the islands. Furthermore, this variety stands out as it typically has five or more petals that bloom into a pinwheel shape.
Number 14 – The ‘Thunberg’ Gardenia. The gardenia thunbergia is most commonly found in Southern Africa. The flowers have a pinwheel-like appearance, with star-shaped blooms of oval-shaped petals. They grow hard, round fruits that spread seeds when eaten by animals. Interestingly, humans have to use special tools and significant force to de-seed this plant, so it’s best to let the animals do it!
Spotting the Difference: How to Identify Gardenia Type
- While most varieties of gardenia are totally white, some species have colored seed pods or stamens. Others grow in such thick spirals that their colors are hidden. Other species, like the tubifera, are entirely yellow.
- Grow pattern. You can distinguish types of gardenias by the shapes of their leaves and the directions in which they grow. Some gardenias grow in distinct, single-layered star patterns. Others take a rosette shape with many semi-double layers, similar to a rose. Their petal shapes range from slender ovals to wide faces.
- Plant height. If you happen to spot wild gardenias growing in nature, you may be able to identify them based on the height of the tree or shrub. Gardenias vary in height from 3 to almost 8 feet tall.
Growing Conditions: Gardenia Jasminoides
Because they prefer warm weather and sunny days, most gardenias can thrive in USDA grow zones 8 through 11. Now, with the creation of frost-resistant gardenias, they’re hearty enough to survive in zones 6 and 7, where the air and soil get much colder. Generally, gardenias do best in climates similar to that of south Asia.
Gardenias are not the easiest plants to care for by any means. The shrub prefers an abundance of sun but also appreciates some shade during the hottest time of day. They require slightly acidic soil and moist surroundings.
Getting the know the Gardenia
- Gardenias symbolize femininity, gentleness, and elegance. They make fabulous gifts for almost any occasion by telling the receiver that you value them tenderly.
- The gardenia is part of the coffee family, including Coffea arabica, the coffee that we drink. Coffee plants also have glossy green leaves and vibrant white flowers.
- Not all gardenia varieties are white. The Gardenia tubifera, or Golden Gardenia, has sunny golden yellow flowers.
- Chinese medicine implements the plant’s fruits, called Zhi Zhi, into various herbal remedies. It’s thought to reduce unwanted heat within the body and is used to treat sores, infections, burns, nosebleeds, and more.
- Jasmine is often confused with gardenia because of their white flowers, strong scent, and similar name (gardenias are also called Cape Jasmine). Jasmine is actually a vine and has much smaller flowers.
- Gardenias are named after Alexander Garden, a Scottish man living in South Carolina. This may be why the flower is so popular in the southern state.
Hand Delivered Luxury Flowers
High Camp Supply has revolutionized the gardenia market. By discovering groundbreaking techniques to grow gardenias year-round, we’ve made it possible to deliver dazzling luxury flower gifts overnight.
Gardenias are more than elegant white blossoms. Their fragrant scent and wild beauty have the ability to transport you back to a distant memory. Send love to those that matter to you with the gift of ephemeral beauty.
