Gardenia jasminoides "Kleim's Hardy" (Cape Jasmine)

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' solves one of the great frustrations of gardenia growing: it brings that legendary, intoxicating fragrance into the landscape of Pacific Northwest gardens that would normally be too cold for gardenias to survive. Hardy to zone 7 (and sometimes beyond with good siting), this compact evergreen shrub reaches two to three feet tall and wide, producing intensely fragrant single star-shaped ivory flowers in early summer with occasional repeat blooms through the season.

The glossy, dark green leaves are attractive year-round, and the plant stays naturally tidy enough for container growing as well as in-ground planting. It prefers acidic, well-drained soil and appreciates consistent moisture without waterlogging. On the southern Oregon coast, mild winters and naturally acidic soils make this one of the more reliably successful gardenia options available.

Place it near a doorway, along a garden path, or in a pot by the patio where you'll walk past it often. The fragrance is genuinely extraordinary.