“Aimee” patio tree as a 90th birthday gift and have had it on my deck for a month now. It’s getting northern exposure near a small lake in the Chicagoland area. I am following directions to a “T” and ...

Gardenia augusta would be an irresistible plant even if the flowers weren't so wonderfully fragrant. The dark and leathery evergreen leaves make the perfect foil for the pure white, roselike flowers.

Q. In an effort to get my 3-year-old gardenia plant to bloom, I put it on the patio for the summer, but still do not see any buds. What can I do? –Aldona Bartz, Countryside A. The intoxicating but ...

A thriving potted gardenia plant sits on a porch. - Rukman Limbu/Shutterstock We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Gardenias are extremely popular, yet notoriously hard to grow.