Gardenia Overview
Gardenia is one of Hawaii's favorite lei flowers because of its sweet, rich scent. The white blossoms are simple, elegant and strongly fragrant, which makes them popular for lei, gardens and floral displays.
The plant is native to China and grows well in Hawaii's warm, humid climate. Gardenia can reach up to about 6 feet tall, forming a shrub with glossy green leaves and creamy white flowers.
Flowers, Fragrance and Lei Use
Gardenia is known scientifically as Gardenia jasminoides. Its fragrance is the main reason people value it so highly. A gardenia lei can carry a strong scent, so even a small number of blossoms can make a memorable impression.
Gardenias grow best with warmth, moisture and good care. They are often planted where people can appreciate the flowers up close, such as near walkways, patios and garden edges. The white blooms also stand out nicely against the dark green leaves.
A similar fragrant flower is Gardenia taitensis, the Tahitian tiare. That shrub has flowers with five or more petals that form a pinwheel shape. Related Hawaii lei flower pages include pikake, plumeria, tuberose and crown flower.
