Picture this: In the simmering heat of the noontime summer sunshine, you pause to rest at an outdoor cafe in Charleston. A breeze gently sways clusters of Spanish moss overhead on southern live oaks as scent permeates the air. Your senses piqued, you inhale deeply the dreamy and sensuous fragrance of nearby gardenias.

Almost no other flower has the olfactory potency of this magnificent flower.

Spanning the width of up to five inches, large blossoms of gardenia (gardenia jasminoides), with corollas of creamy white, velvety petals set against surrounding lustrous deep evergreen leaves, add a rich and elegant statement to any special occasion.

From the genus Rubiaceae, the gardenia was named by botanist John Ellis in 1762 for Charleston physician and naturalist Dr. Alexander Garden. A surprising fact notes the gardenia plant is a member of the coffee family. Being a type of evergreen shrub native to tropical regions of Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands, the plant blooms in the southern US between May and July.

Artistic depictions of the gardenia date back to early Chinese porcelain. Hawaiians have used gardenias historically in the creation of their flowered necklace leis to gorgeous effect.

Nineteenth century author Edith Wharton wrote that gardenias lent an elegant touch when placed in the buttonholes of mens’ jackets during the Gilded Age. Jazz singer Billie Holiday adorned her hair with one as her signature trademark. In 1981, England’s Princess Diana chose to incorporate gardenias into her cascading and lavish bridal bouquet.

If you choose to employ gardenias into your own bouquet, roses and hydrangeas in delicate shades of cream, peach and pale pink pair well. The Cape Jasmine variety is the type used by contemporary florists. Surrounding the flowers with either lacy types of greenery such as ferns or using variegated hosta leaves and then adding a touch of gauzy ribbon may be just the right combination to form a stunning bouquet. An experienced Philadelphia florist can assist you in your floral planning and design.

Aside from being used for wedding party bouquets and boutonnieres, a wreath could be fashioned out of gardenias for the flower girl to carry down the aisle. Gardenias could also be floated in glassware surrounded by votive candles for fragrant and glittering table centerpieces.

This bold, yet delicate flower, signifies purity and sweetness, refinement and the grace of southern charm.

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