It is not a gardenia tree! Looks to be a magnolia relative, Michelia, which are evergreen shrubs (sometimes referred to as 'banana' shrub) that can produce very fragrant flowers. I am not familiar enough with all the Michelia species and hybrids to assign a specific identity to it but you should start your research there.....but not with gardenias :-)

ETA: just saw the previous post and agree with that ID! Pretty much picture perfect :-)

Thank you gals!

Gardengal, I had a feeling this tree belonged to the coffee and gardenia family, although I don't know how that is so. BUt here is an article I found based on the final identificatio of it thanks to Nancy!

https://witkoppenwildflower.co.za/rothmannia-capensis/

Nancy, I am surprised you found it on their site. I tried to no avail. Thank you. It is very fragrant right now. I'm afraid it will be a short lived flower, but wow it packs a sweet punch))

Mike

Magnolias (Michelia is now considered by many to have been absorbed into Magnolia) don't produce paired leaves, do produce flowers with a prominent staminal cone in the center. And I am not aware of any that have freckles. Also the gardenia-like flower bud of this plant is not like that of a magnolia.

I was going to question Gardenia as the bud doesn't look Gardenia. I was going to suggest maybe Brugsmania from the bud form.

The pic Nazjade provided is a PERFECT match, well done. That bloom almost looks like a Lily.

Karen, it does look like a lilly. Just like a lilly, they die of pretty rapidly to be replaced with another ater another all summer long. The fragrance is to die for)

Thank you and I pray things are well with you). Speaking of Brugsmansia, I have a few of those. Love those. I have three planted in an area that when you walk by they will smell so good some summer.

Mike))