Family: Rubiaceae

There are around 30 species in this genus of lovely, evergreen shrubs or small trees, native to tropical Africa, South Africa, Madagascar and Asia, and once classified with Gardenia. Widely grown in warm and tropical climates around the world, they all have attractive, glossy, green, lance- to oval-shaped foliage, and stalkless, bell-shaped flowers, some highly perfumed. The flowers appear in spring through to summer and are followed by fleshy, rounded fruit.

Species

R. capensis, Cape gardenia, is a small tree, growing to 12-14 m (40-46 ft), with oval leaves, slightly wavy along the margins. The beautiful, cream flowers have reddish spotted throats and a sweet scent.

R. globosa, tree gardenia, is very popular in some countries with warm climates. A shrub or small tree, from South Africa, it grows 3-6 m (10-20 ft) high, with oval to lance-shaped leaves. In summer, it is covered with masses of long, waxy, highly scented, creamy white flowers, sometimes tinted with pink.

R. longiflora from tropical Africa is a shrub or small tree, to 5 m (16 ft), with many branched stems and long flowers, reddish purple on the outside, white on the inside, with purplish red spotted throats.

Cultivation

Outside the tropics or subtropics, grow in an intermediate to warm greenhouse or conservatory in pots of acid (lime free), soil-based potting compost. Plants need good light, but shade from direct, strong sun. They may need pruning in late winter to restrict size. Propagate in spring from seed germinated at 16°C (61°F), or from semi-ripe cuttings in summer, rooting them in a heated propagating case.

Climate

Tropical or subtropical.