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Gardenia Tree

$11995
Size

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Gardenia Tree

Planting Instructions for Aimee Gardenia Tree

  1. Choosing the Right Location: Set your Aimee Gardenia Tree in full to partial sun, ideally bright morning light with some relief from harsh afternoon sun in very hot climates. Because it lives in a container, it can be grown almost anywhere as a patio plant. Front entrances, patios, pool decks, and covered porch edges that get good light are ideal spots to enjoy the fragrance.
  2. Soil Preparation: Use a rich, well-drained, acidic potting mix, such as one labeled for azaleas, camellias, and gardenias. Gardenias struggle in neutral or alkaline soil, which is a common cause of yellow leaves. Avoid garden soil in containers, since it compacts and holds too much water around the roots.
  3. Planting: Choose a decorative planter a few inches wider than the nursery pot, with drainage holes in the bottom. Set the root ball so its top sits at the same level it grew in the nursery pot, about an inch below the rim, then fill around it with potting mix and firm gently. Step up to a slightly larger pot every couple of years as the roots fill in.
  4. Mulching and First Watering: Water slowly and deeply right after planting until water runs from the drainage holes, which settles the mix around the roots. A thin layer of fine bark mulch on top of the pot helps hold moisture, but keep it away from the trunk. Never let the pot sit in a saucer of standing water.

Care Instructions

  1. Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, soaking until water drains from the bottom. Gardenias like evenly moist soil but hate soggy roots. In hot summer weather, containers dry quickly and may need water every day or two, while plants kept indoors in winter need much less.
  2. Fertilizing: Feed during the growing season with a fertilizer made for acid-loving plants, following the label rate. Stop feeding in late summer so the plant can slow down before cooler weather, and never fertilize a bone-dry plant. Water first, then feed, to protect the roots.
  3. Pest and Disease Monitoring: Check the undersides of leaves every couple of weeks for aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale, which commonly visit gardenias. Rinse light infestations off with a spray of water or treat with insecticidal soap. Yellowing leaves usually point to overwatering, poor drainage, or soil that is not acidic enough rather than pests.

Maintenance and Long-Term Care

  1. Pruning: Prune lightly right after the main bloom finishes, trimming the head to keep it round and balanced. Remove any shoots that sprout along the trunk or from the base so energy stays in the canopy. Avoid heavy pruning in fall or winter, because gardenias set next year's flower buds on existing growth.
  2. Winter Care: Keep your tree outdoors through the warm months, then bring it inside to a bright, cool room before frost. Place it near a sunny window, away from heating vents, and water less often while growth slows. In warm, frost-free regions it can stay outside most of the year with protection during rare cold snaps.
  3. Growing in Containers: This tree is made for containers and typically reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide in a pot. Rotate the planter a quarter turn every few weeks so the head grows evenly on all sides, and use pot feet or a caddy to keep drainage holes clear and make moving easier.

Additional Tips for Growing Aimee Gardenia Tree

  1. Enjoying the Fragrance: Aimee usually blooms from late spring into summer, often with lighter flushes afterward in warm conditions. Place the tree where you sit or walk often, such as beside a door or patio seating, so you can enjoy its large, double white flowers and rich, classic scent up close. A matching pair frames an entrance beautifully.
  2. Pet Safety: Gardenias are listed as mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing the leaves or flowers can cause drooling, vomiting, or an upset stomach, though serious poisoning is uncommon. Place your tree where pets are unlikely to nibble it, and contact your veterinarian if a pet shows symptoms.
  3. Shipping Note: The Aimee Gardenia Tree cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon because of state agricultural restrictions. It arrives potted and ready to set into a decorative planter anywhere else. When your plant arrives, unbox it right away, water it thoroughly, and let it rest in a bright, sheltered spot out of harsh afternoon sun for a day or two before planting so it can recover from the trip.
What Customers say about the Gardenia Tree:

The Gardenia Tree thrives in Zones Anywhere as a Patio Plant

Growing Zones for the Gardenia Tree

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Gardenia Tree.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones Anywhere as a Patio Plant
Mature Height 4-6 ft. in a pot
Mature Width 2-4 ft. in a pot
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full to Partial Sun
Botanical Name Gardenia Jasminoides 'Aimee'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Beware- not all Gardenia Trees are the same.

Beware- not all Gardenia Trees are the same.

Be sure to get superior gardenias, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" gardenias to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Gardenia Trees in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth and blooms!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall gardenias in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" tree, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy tree.

Gardenia Tree

The Aimee Gardenia Tree brings big, fragrant white blooms and an elegant tree form to your patio, entry or poolside.

  • Large, double white blooms that are bigger and fuller than many traditional gardenias
  • Rich, classic gardenia fragrance that carries across a patio or entryway
  • Blooms from late spring into summer, often with lighter flushes afterward in warm conditions
  • Grow it anywhere as a patio plant: reaches 4-6 ft. tall and 2-4 ft. wide in a pot

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants compared with Other Nurseries
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Nationwide Plants: Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Other Nurseries: Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Nationwide Plants: Arrives in its pot with soil intact Other Nurseries: Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Nationwide Plants: Growing naturally until it ships Other Nurseries: Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Nationwide Plants: Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Other Nurseries: Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Nationwide Plants: Measured from the top of the soil Other Nurseries: Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Nationwide Plants: Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Other Nurseries: Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Gardenia Tree

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure trees including the pot and roots, so their "3-4 ft." tree may only be about half that size when planted. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Step 1: Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. Step 2: A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Step 3: Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Step 4: Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Step 5: Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!
Gardenia Tree

You Want Gardenia Trees Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship thin, weak gardenias grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" trees struggle after planting and take longer to bloom well.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Gardenia Trees, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means your tree settles in quickly and starts filling your space with fragrant blooms sooner.

Read more about the Gardenia Tree

Aimee Gardenia Tree - The Best Gardenia for Containers 

Transform everyday spaces into unforgettable moments with the Aimee Gardenia Tree, one of the most elegant and fragrant flowering trees you can bring home. Professionally trained into a beautiful tree form and arriving already 3–4 ft. tall in a 3 gallon pot, this premium gardenia delivers the upscale look of a mature landscape feature without waiting years for a small shrub to grow.

Place it in a decorative planter beside your front entrance, flank your back patio with a matching pair, or create a resort-inspired poolside retreat filled with rich gardenia fragrance.

Greet Guests with One of the Most Fragrant Gardenias Available

There’s something unforgettable about walking past a blooming gardenia. Aimee is especially prized for producing an exceptionally rich, classic gardenia fragrance that gently perfumes outdoor living spaces.

Place one near your front door and welcome visitors with a sweet floral scent before they ever step inside.

Place a pair beside your back patio or outdoor seating area and enjoy the fragrance while relaxing, entertaining, dining outdoors, or hosting friends.

Around a pool or courtyard, Aimee creates the feeling of a private luxury resort.

One of the Largest Gardenia Flowers for Maximum Visual Impact

Aimee Gardenia is known for producing large, double white blooms that are noticeably bigger and fuller than many traditional gardenias.

The result:

  • Bigger blooms
  • More dramatic flowering
  • A premium, designer appearance

Each flower stands out beautifully against rich evergreen foliage for a refined, high-end look.

Already the Perfect Size for Decorative Planters

Unlike small gardenia shrubs that disappear in oversized containers, your 3–4 ft. Aimee Gardenia Tree arrives already trained and sized to create immediate impact.

Simply place it into your favorite decorative planter and instantly elevate:

  • Front entrances
  • Patios
  • Pool decks
  • Covered porches
  • Courtyards
  • Outdoor entertaining spaces

No years of shaping. No waiting for maturity.

Professionally Trained into an Elegant Tree Form

Most gardenias are sold as rounded shrubs.

Aimee’s stronger upright growth and naturally vigorous habit make it especially suited for growing as a standard tree, giving it:

  • A cleaner silhouette
  • More elevated appearance
  • Better visual height
  • Greater architectural interest

It becomes living décor, not just another shrub.

Large Glossy Evergreen Leaves for Year-Round Beauty

Even when not in bloom, Aimee remains beautiful.

Its larger, deep-green glossy foliage creates a lush tropical appearance that looks polished and substantial all year long.

Perfect in Pairs

One Aimee Gardenia Tree makes a statement. Two create an experience.

Place matching trees:

  • Beside a front entrance for a luxury estate look
  • On each side of a patio seating area to surround guests with fragrance
  • Near a pool to create a private retreat feel
  • Along a walkway to frame outdoor spaces with blooms and evergreen beauty

Why Customers Love the Aimee Gardenia Tree

  • One of the largest gardenia blooms
  • Among the most fragrant gardenia varieties
  • Professionally trained tree form for immediate elegance
  • Ideal size for decorative planters
  • Evergreen beauty year-round
  • Excellent for patios, entrances, and pool areas
  • Creates instant luxury curb appeal
  • Dramatic impact from day one

Bring home the gardenia that turns outdoor spaces into experiences and enjoy beauty, fragrance, and elegant structure the moment it arrives.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Gardenia Tree

How big does an Aimee Gardenia Tree get in a pot?

An Aimee Gardenia Tree typically reaches 4 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide when grown in a container. Its trained standard form keeps a clean, upright silhouette, so it fits nicely beside entryways, on patios, and around pools. Choose a planter a few inches wider than the nursery pot and step up in size every couple of years as the roots fill in.

Can a Gardenia Tree grow in any climate as a patio plant?

Yes, the Aimee Gardenia Tree can be grown almost anywhere as a patio plant because it lives in a container you can move. Keep it outdoors in the warm months, then bring it inside to a bright, cool room before frost. In warm, frost-free regions it can stay outside most of the year with protection during rare cold snaps.

How much sun does a Gardenia Tree need?

A Gardenia Tree grows best in full to partial sun. Aim for bright morning light with some relief from harsh afternoon sun in very hot climates, which helps keep the glossy leaves from scorching. Too little light reduces flowering, so a sunny patio, porch edge, or bright window indoors will give you the most blooms and the strongest fragrance.

When does the Aimee Gardenia Tree bloom and how fragrant is it?

The Aimee Gardenia Tree usually blooms from late spring into summer, often with lighter flushes afterward in warm conditions. Aimee is prized for large, double white flowers and a rich, classic gardenia fragrance that carries across a patio or entryway. Place it where you sit or walk often so you can enjoy the scent up close.

How often should I water a Gardenia Tree in a container?

Water a potted Gardenia Tree whenever the top inch of soil feels dry, soaking until water drains from the bottom. Gardenias like evenly moist soil but hate soggy roots, so always use a pot with drainage holes. In hot summer weather containers dry quickly and may need water every day or two, while indoor plants in winter need much less.

Why are the leaves on my Gardenia Tree turning yellow?

Yellow leaves on a Gardenia Tree are most often caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil that is not acidic enough. Gardenias prefer acidic soil, so use an acid-loving plant potting mix and an acid-forming fertilizer. Also check that the pot drains freely. A few older lower leaves yellowing and dropping now and then is normal.

What kind of soil and fertilizer does a Gardenia Tree need?

A Gardenia Tree needs rich, well-drained, acidic potting soil, such as a mix labeled for azaleas, camellias, and gardenias. Feed it during the growing season with a fertilizer made for acid-loving plants, following the label rate. Stop feeding in late summer so the plant can slow down before cooler weather, and never fertilize a bone-dry plant.

How do I prune a Gardenia Tree to keep its tree shape?

Prune a Gardenia Tree lightly right after its main bloom finishes, trimming the head to keep it round and balanced. Remove any shoots that sprout along the trunk or from the base so energy stays in the canopy. Avoid heavy pruning in fall or winter, because gardenias set next year's flower buds on existing growth.

Is a Gardenia Tree toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes, gardenias are listed as mildly toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing the leaves or flowers can cause drooling, vomiting, or an upset stomach, though serious poisoning is uncommon. Place your Gardenia Tree where pets are unlikely to nibble it, and contact your veterinarian if you notice symptoms after a pet has eaten part of the plant.

Can Nationwide Plants ship the Gardenia Tree to my state?

Nationwide Plants can ship the Aimee Gardenia Tree to most states, but it cannot be shipped to Arizona or Oregon because of state agricultural restrictions. If you live anywhere else, your tree arrives potted and ready to place in a decorative planter, so you can enjoy its fragrance and elegant tree form right away.