Gardenia thunbergia - South African Gardenia

10 Sep, 2010
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South African Gardenia is much less hardy than Gardenia jasminoides...however, it is less fussy about soil. Also, it can become a tree to more than 20 feet/ 6.1 meters tall. It's a very common landscape tree here. Photo taken at the San Diego Zoo on Sept. 9, 2010.

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Bathgate

wow, I had no idea they can get this tall. Amazing!!

26 Jan, 2017

Delonix1

This is a different species than the Gardenia jasminoides. It grows into a tree like Gardenia taitensis and carinata (which is my absolute favorite!). Gardenia carinata can grow to more than 50' (in its native Malaysia it grows almost double that height). Although, I think such a height in California would be pretty rare.

Gardenia thunbergia is a beautiful big shrub or tree. It's drought tolerant and flowers most of the year.

27 Jan, 2017

Bathgate

What a sight that must be lucky you! Thanks for posting

27 Jan, 2017

Delonix1

You're welcome.

A large Gardenia of any species and variety is quite a sight. The larger they grow the more flowers are produced. The fragrance on very large flowering shrubs and trees are sometimes overwhelming, though.

Once I saw a 65' flowering Gardenia carinata in Hilo, HI. The fragrance was so sweet I wanted to eat the tree! lol!

28 Jan, 2017

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