1. Gardenia carinata (Yellow Gardenia). Has very strongly scented single yellow flowers in the winter.
It is fairly hardy (my plants are more than 5 years old), but not very healthy in the summer, losing most leaves. I keep them in the shade, although they might prefer winter sunshine. It forms a small woody bush 1 m high.
2. Gardenia jasminoides (Gardenia). This is the common houseplant Gardenia, usually with double white flowers and a much weaker scent than the yellow gardenia. It is not at all hardy. It is possible to keep it alive through the summer in the shade, but very difficult to get it to flower. In the winter, it will produce flower buds, but these will drop off without opening. Maybe for a week or so in January, it might be cold enough for flowers to open.
It is fairly hardy (my plants are more than 5 years old), but not very healthy in the summer, losing most leaves. I keep them in the shade, although they might prefer winter sunshine. It forms a small woody bush 1 m high.
2. Gardenia jasminoides (Gardenia). This is the common houseplant Gardenia, usually with double white flowers and a much weaker scent than the yellow gardenia. It is not at all hardy. It is possible to keep it alive through the summer in the shade, but very difficult to get it to flower. In the winter, it will produce flower buds, but these will drop off without opening. Maybe for a week or so in January, it might be cold enough for flowers to open.