Flower Spotlight: Gardenia

There are many beautiful flowers that are perfect for different occasions. Today, we will focus on the Gardenia—a simple, elegant and aromatic bloom.

Origins and Symbolism

Gardenias are native to Africa, Asia, Australasia and Oceania. This flower was named after Alexander Garden, a Scottish physician and naturalist who lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Gardenia means “garden flower” and is often used in weddings to symbolize the love and purity of marriage. A solo gardenia or bouquet tells the recipient “I think I’m in love with you,” also making it the perfect flower to send to your crush!

To Consider

Gardenias are strongly scented and grow in the shape of a star with 5-12 petals. The flower is part of an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 49 ft. tall and needs a lot of sunlight and humidity. This flower is toxic to cats, dogs and horses, so make sure to keep your four-legged friends away from this beauty!

Availability

This flowering plant is part of the coffee family. There are 142 different species that can be found in colors white, ivory and yellow. The most popular species is the Cape Jasmine and it is originally grown in China. Gardenias make beautiful cut flowers, amazing corsages and wedding bouquets or arrangements for decoration. Unfortunately, their vase life is very short, but can be prolonged with good cutting techniques. A single gardenia can be gifted or simply placed in a room, floating in a bowl or dish, to give it a more elegant touch.

When planning a wedding, gardenias are a great choice for flowers. They are not only beautiful, but the symbolism behind it makes them very special. Head to your local florist and surprise someone with gardenias!