Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Gardenia thunbergia L.f.

Frost-tender, open, erect unarmed shrub or small tree with rigid branches, opposite pairs of glossy, dark green leaves with wavy margins, to 6cm long, and solitary, tubular, spreading, fragrant, white or cream flowers, to 6cm across, from winter to spring, followed by persistent, large, woody, pear-shaped fruits.  To 5m.  [RHSE, Hortus, Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The Gardenia Thunbergia is a fine flowering shrub, which thrives with great luxuriance in the Right Hon. Mr. Greville’s conservatory at Paddington, where our drawing was taken.  The flowers are very fragrant and produced in succession during the summer months.  Native of the Cape of Good Hope and Guinea.  Introduced to the Kew Gardens by Sir James Cockburn, Bart. in 1773.’  [BM t.1004/1807].

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.509/1843].  Two mature specimens of Gardenia thunbergia are growing in the Camden Park gardens.

Notes

Published Feb 08, 2010 - 10:35 AM | Last updated Feb 08, 2010 - 10:41 AM

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Figured are ovate, wavy-margined leaves and long-tubed single white flower. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1004, 1807.

Gardenia thunbergia L.f. | BM t.1004/1807 | BHL

Family Rubiaceae
Category
Region of origin

South Africa
Synonyms
  • Gardenia verticillata Lam.
  • Gardenia crassicaulis Salisb.
  • Thunbergia capensis L.f.
Common Name

White gardenia, Tree gardenia
Name in the Camden Park Record

Gardenia Thunbergiana 
Confidence level high