Nothing reminds me more of my trips to the Carolinas than the sweet smell of Gardenias.
Gardenias are evergreen shrubs native to tropical forests of Southeast Asia.
They are now readily available for all U-S gardeners. The plants found at most garden centers are cultivated types of G. jasminoides. These beautiful shrubs have shiny, roundish green leaves and rose-like fragrant flowers. They are a favorite outdoor shrub in southern climates. Here in the north, we have to grow them inside in winter and that can sometimes prove to be a challenge.