He instead named the plant "gardenia" in honor of his friend, naturalist Dr. Alexander Garden. If you're curious, yes, the first gardenia shrub eventually reached the U.S. in 1762, happily living ...

Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann No plant expresses the grace of the South better than gardenia. Intensely fragrant white blossoms contrast beautifully with shiny ...