Gardenia thunbergii, or the Tree Gardenia is an erect, semi-tropical, evergreen shrub with veined and glossy foliage which is attractive in its own right.
However it is largely grown for the spectacular, fragrant, open faced flowers that appear in spring and early summertime. Flowers are creamy white with tubular corolla.
This is perhaps the most hardy and fragrant of all Gardenias and unlike many hybrids it accesses nutrients very well from the soil, so common problems like yellowing leaves will not be your worry with this plant.
Best suited to medium to larger gardens it brings a heady perfume and a strong shape, providing an excellent background when not in flower. It also makes a very useful, fast growing hedge.