Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
The First Love® Gardenia Tree is love at first sight. The charming Gardenia jasminoides 'Aimee' prolifically blooms from late spring into summer. The double flowers measure up to 5 inches wide and make a stunning statement. Pure white petals spiral out from the center and gently overlap, giving the flower a full and lovely appearance. The flowers are gorgeous, but the glossy evergreen foliage provides visual interest year-round.
This tree-like Gardenia is a natural focal point and works well in a mixed bed. Plant the First Love® Gardenia Tree in a container for more flexible placement options on a balcony or deck. Feature the First Love® Gardenia Tree in a busy area, like along the walkway from the driveway to the front door, or in a spot you frequent, like a patio, to enjoy the sweet scent of the flowers. Grow the First Love® Gardenia Tree in zones 8 through 11.
First Love® Gardenia Tree Care
The First Love® Gardenia Tree thrives in full sun to part shade. A spot that receives morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. This gardenia needs fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Gardenias like damp soil but do not tolerate soggy conditions. Fertilize annually each spring.
Prune after the flowers fade to shape the plant. Remove horizontal branches to encourage vertical growth. Trim any low branches to maintain the tree-like form.
First Love® Gardenia Tree Spacing
Mature First Love® Gardenia Trees stand 4 to 6 feet tall and wide. When creating a continuous planting, space plants 4 to 6 feet apart.
First Love® Gardenia Tree Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 8 to 11 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 5-8 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-6 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Upright
- Water Needs
- Consistently Moist
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , White
- Flower Description
- White
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Summer
- Blooms On
-
Old Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Right after flowering
- Foliage Color
- , Green
- Foliage Description
- Dark Green
- Foliage Type
- , Evergreen
- Seasonal Interest
- , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- First Love® Gardenia Tree
- Also Known As
- Cape Jasmine
- Botanical Name
- Gardenia jasminoides 'Aimee'
- Plant Type
- Perennial
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!