“Sultry as a summer evening and as intoxicating as an exotic perfume, the scent of gardenias settles like a memory onto your soul. The blossoms are just as enticing. Buds shaped like seashells unfurl into velvet soft flowers in the warmth and humidity of early evening. But it's the fragrance that captivates.” — Van Chaplin

When I saw this planter at Stein’s Garden Center, I knew it would be perfect for our deck. I also knew I wanted something tall to plant in it. I found this “tree” on clearance and didn’t even read the tag until I got it home. Who grows gardenias in Wisconsin? I figured that, even if it didn’t bloom, the waxy leaves would be pretty for our planter this summer. Six weeks later, I began to notice tiny buds that grew into intriguing spirals. On July 22th, our 15th anniversary, the first blossom appeared. I was immediately enchanted by its symmetry, by its pure white petals that only a day later curled under to create a perfect cylinder to attract honeybees and hummingbirds, and most of all, by its intoxicating fragrance!