
Gardenias are a popular choice of flower for weddings due to their soft texture, fragrance, and meaning. They are often used in bridal bouquets and can be paired with a variety of flowers, including roses, lilies, and succulents. Gardenias are typically ivory, but they also come in shades of yellow, pink, and red. They are considered delicate flowers that turn brown with touch, so they are often floated in water or pinned as a corsage. While they are sought-after for weddings, gardenias are expensive and challenging to source, which may deter some couples.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Popularity | Gardenias are a popular wedding flower, especially in the southern United States. |
| Colour | Gardenias are usually white, but can also be ivory, yellow, pink, or red. |
| Scent | Gardenias have a strong, sweet, and intoxicating fragrance. |
| Symbolism | Gardenias symbolise purity, love, elegance, grace, joy, peace, and secret love. |
| Season | Gardenias bloom from summer to fall, and sometimes blossom in spring. |
| Cost | Gardenias are expensive, ranging from $20 to $40 per bloom. |
| Durability | Gardenias are delicate and can turn brown if handled too much. |
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What You'll Learn

Gardenias are a traditional wedding flower
Gardenias are available in shades of white, ivory, yellow, pink, and red. The most popular variety is ivory, which is often paired with pink for a classic colour combination. Gardenias symbolize purity, gentleness, and sweet love, with the meaning of the flower communicating the sentiment, "you're lovely".
Gardenias are a tropical plant and prefer a humid climate with hot days and cool evenings. They bloom from summer into fall and can blossom as early as spring, depending on their location. If well cared for, they may even have a second bloom in late fall, making them ideal for early winter weddings.
Gardenias are considered one of the most expensive flowers for weddings, with each bloom costing $20-40. However, it is possible to ask for "work" or grade #2 gardenias, which will be significantly cheaper.
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They symbolise purity, gentleness and sweet love
Gardenias are a popular choice for weddings, often used in bridal bouquets, as well as to adorn tables or tucked into the bride's hair. They are also floated in water alongside candles, creating a romantic effect. Gardenias are a tropical plant, preferring a humid climate with hot days and cool evenings. They bloom from summer into fall and can blossom as early as spring, depending on their location.
Gardenias are a versatile flower, pairing well with a variety of other blooms, including roses, calla lilies, succulents, peonies, dahlias, hydrangeas, orchids and ranunculus. They symbolise purity, gentleness and sweet love, with the meaning of a gardenia also communicating the sentiment, "you're lovely". The most popular and well-known variety is ivory, but they also come in shades of yellow, pink and red.
Gardenias are a more expensive flower, with a single bloom costing between $20 and $40. However, it is possible to ask for "work" (a #2 grade) gardenias, which will be a fraction of the cost. Due to their delicate nature, they are not often sold in bouquet form by florists, as they don't last long and will quickly turn brown. They are also difficult to fashion into bouquets because of their short stems.
Despite this, gardenias are a popular choice for weddings, perhaps because of their symbolism and ability to pair with other flowers to create a soft, romantic look. They add a wonderful fragrance to a wedding and their soft petals create a beautiful texture.
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Gardenias are expensive and don't last long in bouquets
Gardenias are a popular choice for weddings, often used in bridal bouquets, as well as to adorn tables or tucked into the bride's hair. They are also floated in water alongside candles to create a romantic atmosphere. Gardenias are considered expensive, with high-quality blooms costing $20 to $40 each. However, you can also ask for "work" or grade #2 gardenias, which will be much cheaper. Despite their beauty and fragrance, gardenias are delicate flowers that don't last long in bouquets. They are prone to browning and wilting, which is why you won't often find them offered by florists.
Gardenias are considered a luxury flower, often grouped with peonies, hydrangeas, and roses. The average cost of wedding flowers in the US is around $1,500, with most couples spending between $700 and $2,500. However, the cost can vary widely depending on location, season, and the types and quantities of flowers chosen. For example, flowers sourced directly from growers can be very expensive, and specialty flowers or colours may need to be ordered in advance.
The bridal bouquet is typically the most expensive, with an average cost of $160 in the US and €140 in Europe. Bridesmaid bouquets are smaller and less costly, averaging $75 in the US and €60 in Europe. To save money, couples can opt for seasonal flowers, reuse ceremony arrangements at the reception, or incorporate more greenery into their floral displays.
While gardenias are undoubtedly expensive and short-lived in bouquets, their unique fragrance, soft texture, and symbolism of purity, gentleness, and sweet love make them a popular choice for weddings nonetheless.
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They are best floated in a shallow dish or as a fragrant corsage
Gardenias are a popular choice of flower for weddings, often used in bridal bouquets, as well as to adorn tables or tucked into the bride's hair. They are also used to create a romantic atmosphere when floated in water alongside candles.
Gardenias are very delicate flowers that turn brown when touched, so it is best to display them in a shallow dish of water or as a fragrant corsage. They can be challenging to source as cut gardenias are expensive and don't last long in bouquets. They are also not typically sold in bouquet form because they are plants and don't have long enough stems.
Despite these challenges, gardenias can be purchased in bulk from wholesale florists or markets, and your local florist will have contacts with suppliers that you may not be able to access. They are in high demand, particularly in white, and are a traditional, fragrant flower that adds soft texture and incredible scent to your special day.
Gardenias pair well with a variety of flowers, including roses, calla lilies, and succulents, and are available in shades of ivory, yellow, pink, and red. They are a tropical plant, preferring a humid climate with hot days and cool evenings, and can bloom twice a year, making them ideal for early winter weddings.
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Gardenias are versatile and pair well with many flowers
Gardenias are a popular choice for weddings, often used to adorn tables or tucked into the bride's hair. They are also floated in water alongside romantic candles. Gardenias are versatile flowers that pair well with many other flowers. They have a soft texture and a beautiful fragrance, adding a romantic touch to any bouquet.
Gardenias are commonly paired with roses, dahlias, hydrangeas, orchids, and ranunculus. The ivory variety of gardenias is the most popular and well-known, but they also come in shades of yellow, pink, and red. A combination of pink and ivory gardenias creates a classic look, especially when paired with fluffy peonies. White gardenias stand out among deep purple calla lilies and vibrant greenery, creating a striking contrast.
Gardenias can also be paired with flowers that have similar or complementary meanings. The gardenia flower symbolizes purity, gentleness, and sweet love, and conveys the sentiment, "you're lovely." They can be combined with flowers that share these associations or complement them.
While gardenias are versatile, they are delicate flowers that require careful handling. They turn brown easily from being touched, so floating them in a dish is often recommended. Gardenias are also relatively expensive, costing $20-40 per bloom, and they don't last long in bouquets. Despite these challenges, gardenias are a beautiful and romantic choice for weddings, especially when paired with complementary flowers.
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Frequently asked questions
Gardenias are a popular choice for weddings due to their soft texture, fragrance, and meaning. They are often used in bridal bouquets and as table decorations.
The gardenia flower represents purity, gentleness, and sweet love. It also communicates the sentiment, "you're lovely".
Gardenias are considered one of the most expensive flowers for weddings, with each bloom costing around $20 to $40.
Gardenias pair well with a variety of flowers, including roses, peonies, calla lilies, and succulents. They can also be combined with greenery for a more affordable option.








































