Gardenia jasminoides Celestial Star

Gardenia jasminoides 'Celestial Star' is an American variety interesting for its superior hardiness compared to most varieties. It is a dense bush, as wide as it is tall, with beautiful dark green evergreen foliage that forms a lovely backdrop for the flowers. From May onwards, large double, pure white flowers appear, perfuming the air with a sweet fragrance. It is compact enough to be grown in a pot in harsh climates, it enjoys filtered sunlight and dislikes drafts. When planted outdoors, it requires non-chalky, moist and humus-bearing soil, and thrives in gardens along the Atlantic coast or in the south, under a dappled shade that maintains a certain level of humidity.

Gardenia is a member of the large Rubiaceae family, which includes about 600 genera and 10,000 species of herbaceous, woody (trees, shrubs), and climbing plants, from cold regions of the globe to the Tropics. It is notably the family of the Coffee plant and ornamental plants such as Cephalanthus with its curious spherical, white flowers. There are about sixty species of Gardenia (or even up to 250 according to botanical classifications), including some medium-sized trees, but mainly evergreen shrubs living in tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Gardenia jasminoides, or Cape Jasmine, is the only one grown outdoors in mild areas such as the Atlantic coast and Mediterranean regions. It originates from certain areas of Southeast Asia, including China and southern Japan. In these regions, it can grow into small trees reaching up to 5m high, flowering between July and December.
In our climates, development is much more restricted. 'Celestial Star' is a recent American variety (2019), created by breeder James Berry, and reaches about 1.10m in all directions at 10 years old. Its growth is quite slow. The elliptical leaves are quite leathery and small, measuring 3 to 10cm long, with a slightly glossy varnished surface. They are dark green, even darker when the plant is shaded. The flowers bloom from May to July, with sporadic blooms until September. They are larger than most other varieties, reaching 8 to 9cm in diameter. They are double, spiralled, with spreading outer petals and a swirling centre.

Planted in a pot, this 'Celestial Star' gardenia will enhance and perfume a terrace like nothing else. It can also be sheltered in a bright unheated room during winter to protect it from severe cold. In coastal Atlantic regions, it can be planted outdoors. Pair it with other plants with a tropical vibe to create an inspiring scene. A Cycas revoluta planted in a beautiful terracotta pot will be a perfect companion. This architectural plant is straight from prehistoric times with its dwarf palm-like appearance evoking distant lands. In humid oceanic climates, you can plant it in a flower bed alongside the Cape Fuchsia 'Blacher', a perennial whose long cherry red tubular flowers will create a vibrant color contrast in summer.