rhizoverbBeta
DictionarygardeniaFlowering shrub
noun

gardenia

gar-DEE-nee-uh/ɡɑːrˈdiːniə/

A shrub with glossy leaves and fragrant, usually white flowers, or a flower of this shrub.

White gardenia blooms contrast with glossy dark leaves.

A compact gardenia shrub with glossy dark-green leaves, creamy-white layered blossoms, and a few tapered buds, shown clearly enough to recognize its botanical features at card size.
Etymology
gardenEnglishAlexander Garden, naturalist
+iaLatinnoun-forming ending

Garden’s surname, with the noun ending -ia, became the shrub’s genus name. The name honors the naturalist Alexander Garden rather than describing the plant’s fragrance or blossoms.

In context

The Living Backyard 🏵0:03
gardenias are known for their fragrant white flowers and glossy green leaves but what happens when those leaves start turning yellow how do you treat yellow leaves on your gardenia plant
Gardenia Plant Care: What to do with Yellow Leaves

More examples

  • The gardenia shrub had glossy leaves.
  • She pinned a gardenia to her jacket.
  • Several gardenias bloomed beside the terrace.

Forms

gardenia · gardenias

Similar words

jasmine
Jasmine is a different fragrant flowering plant; gardenia commonly has broader glossy leaves and fuller blooms.
shrub
Shrub describes the growth form; gardenia identifies a particular plant group.