Gardenia volkensii flower

The flowers of Gardenia volkensii, the bosveldkatjiepiering in Afrikaans, grow solitary from leaf axils close to the young stem tips. The flower has a long narrow corolla tube and six to nine spreading white corolla lobes. 

The plant blooms late in winter and during spring in a staggered sequence that prolongs the flowering season. The flowers are short-lived, opening at night and soon fading to a creamy yellow colour. Fragrant white flowers opening at night are probably moth-pollinated.

The bushveld gardenia is fairly easily propagated from cuttings or seed. It grows fast in warm conditions and well-drained soil (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Schmidt, et al, 2002; www.plantzafrica.com).