Gorgeous, dark to bright green, opposite leaves on a shrub that can grow 6'-8' with almost equal spread. Leaves are glossy and leathery. Mature shrubs usually look round, and have a medium texture. Blooms in mid-spring to early summer, over a fairly long season: this is not a bloom-all-at-once-and-it's-over shrub! Flowers are white, turning to creamy yellow as they age, and have a waxy feel. They have a powerful, sweet fragrance, and can perfume an entire room. Air currents waft the scent throughout the warm summer garden. There are few shrubs so perfect in their properties as the gardenia. Native to subtropical eastern hemisphere. Used as houseplants in cold climates. Hardy in zones 8-10.