my next door neighbor has this shrub with white flowers. they smell like HEAVEN, even from quite a distance. I remember these growing up in my parent's backyard.... i just don't know what the hell they're called or where to get them. anyone know?



[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 9:50 PM. Reason : .]

6/11/2012 9:48:40 PM

gardenia... any lowes, home depot, or local nursery should have them

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 9:51 PM. Reason : .]

6/11/2012 9:50:20 PM

smells like heaven? gosh...the one i have in my yard is horribly stanky...

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 10:04 PM. Reason : .]

6/11/2012 10:03:45 PM

^Gotta be something else. Gardenias are known for their wonderful smell.

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 10:34 PM. Reason :  .]

[Edited on June 11, 2012 at 10:37 PM. Reason : most species, at least]

6/11/2012 10:31:40 PM

yea skyfallen, these things smell like a combination of coconut, jasmine shampoo, vanilla, and suntan lotion all in one

6/11/2012 10:42:12 PM

or maybe you DO have gardenias but a rabbit died underneath the shrub and is rotting

6/11/2012 10:43:39 PM

Yep, it's wood Gardenia. The scent is very strong, so I suppose it could put some people off, but most folks like it.

Still doesn't beat the scent of magnolias in bloom for me (ah, lemony floral goodness) but I do enjoy them.

6/11/2012 11:33:23 PM

mine is def. a gardenia....i guess i just don't like its scent......much prefer a lilac :O)

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 1:53 AM. Reason : .]

6/12/2012 1:53:34 AM

thanks guys.. gonna see which one of these nurseries has the best deal

6/12/2012 8:45:57 AM

yeah, definitely gardenia. I have a few, but they're not as impressive as the one pictured. They're a bit challenging to grow, and need acidic soil, and not too much sun. The one I put on the east side of my house does better than the other ones.

6/12/2012 10:07:39 AM

Jasmine also has a wonderful smell and is a little easier to grow. More of a vine than a bush.

6/12/2012 10:10:29 AM

Daphne odora is another great sweet-smelling shrub. that one stays short so you don't have to worry about trimming (though they can get quite big around!) they bloom in january and february in NC.


Another, albeit quite larger, perfumey shrub is Osmanthus.


Ligustrum japonicum has a similar fragrance to all of these as well, but it's a bit too weedy to recommend.

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 7:12 PM. Reason : ]

6/12/2012 7:11:07 PM

Generally are gardenias happy where azaleas grow? I need to transplant some small bushes I have and thinking of putting them where some azaleas currently reside.

6/12/2012 7:25:48 PM

I would think so if what BobbyDigital is saying is correct. Acidic and shaded is ideal for azaleas. Shaded areas around pine trees are supposed to be good.

[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 8:00 PM. Reason : s]

6/12/2012 7:54:57 PM

gardenias can be prone to getting iron and magnesium deficient. they can take a fair bit more sun than azaleas in my experience. you better leave those azaleas alone, wolfpackgrrr!! just plant the gardenias in front of them

they should definitely be mounded like azaleas. drainage is key!



[Edited on June 12, 2012 at 9:52 PM. Reason : check your water pH at the house... needs to be below 7]

6/12/2012 9:39:42 PM

Quote :

"Generally are gardenias happy where azaleas grow?"

gardenias like some shade...maybe not as much as azaleas though.

6/12/2012 9:42:51 PM

gardenia care:
http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/gardenia.html

I think my problems have to do with the poorly draining soil clay in my yard.

oh well, it's not my house anymore.

6/12/2012 10:34:13 PM