I don't know how to identify variety, but if you like that one, why not propagate more with cuttings?

Agreed, they propagate so easily! Looks like you could do ground layering with that one.

Great idea, I never thought of that!

@echobelly, did you ever have any success with propagating the "good" gardenia?

I was able to propagate it, but the new plant struggled and finally succumbed. It turns out Gardenias are very nematode susceptible and need to be grafted onto other root-stock.

Oh, shoot. Yes, I've read about nematode susceptibility, too. However, I was hoping that the "good" one was one of the more resistant varieties.

I have a neighbor that has a 17-year old gardenia with a trunk that is 8-10 inches in diameter and absolutely gorgeous. It is about 15' wide and 15' tall. I wish I knew the variety as it is loaded with blooms every year and they last all summer long. Much different than the gardenias I have purchased that have a big bang for about two weeks and then the show is over. My neighbor's tree may be on root-stock, or may be a resistant variety; whatever the reason, it has thrived and is glorious.

I easily and successfully propagated cuttings from her shrub using the following method. I also propagated some other gardenias (three rounds, three different shrubs, this summer) and in each attempt, I had 100% success - all cuttings rooted. 25 days from cutting to potting, each round.

Take Gardenia Cuttings in a totally new Method

All of my cuttings are in pots - none in the ground - and so far, looking good. I guess the nematodes take awhile to have their effect.

Carol in Jacksonville