First Love Cape Jasmine

About this plant

The 'First Love' Cape Jasmine (Gardenia jasminoides 'First Love') lives up to its name, capturing hearts with its pristine, creamy white, double blossoms. These large, exceptionally fragrant flowers emerge in abundance from late spring through fall, creating a breathtaking display against a backdrop of glossy, dark green foliage. This exquisite evergreen shrub offers a refined elegance perfect for adding a touch of romance to any garden. Its compact, upright growth habit makes it suitable for foundation plantings, mixed borders, or as a stunning specimen plant in containers, where its heady perfume can be savored up close. At A Cut Above, we select only the finest specimens to ensure vigorous growth and an abundance of blooms. The 'First Love' Gardenia is a testament to timeless beauty, promising years of fragrant delight and sophisticated charm in your landscape.

Installation timing

When we're in season, outside of the winter months, our goal is to get your plants installed within about two weeks. That window gives us enough time to secure your plants from our supplier and find a spot on the schedule. Throughout the process we stay in touch through notifications and your existing client portal on the main A Cut Above website, which is separate from this landscaping plants shop.

Care & maintenance

Requires well-draining, acidic soil (pH 5.0-6.0) enriched with organic matter. Fertilize regularly with an acid-forming fertilizer throughout the growing season. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage bushiness. Protect from harsh winter winds in colder zones.

Watering suggestions

Proper watering is the single most important factor in your plant's survival after installation. Newly installed plants have a limited root system and rely on you for consistent moisture while they establish.

• First 2 weeks: Water deeply every day (or every other day in cooler, wet weather), soaking the root ball and surrounding soil.
• Weeks 3–12: Water deeply 2–3 times per week, adjusting for rain, heat, and soil drainage.
• After establishment: Water deeply about once a week during the growing season, and more often in extreme heat or drought.
• How to check: Stick a finger 2–3 inches into the soil near the roots — if it's dry, it's time to water. Deep, less-frequent watering encourages strong roots; shallow daily sprinkles do not.
• Avoid: Overwatering (soggy, waterlogged soil) is just as harmful as underwatering and can drown roots.

Watering needs vary by plant, season, soil, and exposure. Because proper watering is the customer's responsibility after installation, please make sure you understand and can follow these suggestions before ordering.

Good to know: plants and trees purchased from and installed by A Cut Above include a one-year limited warranty from the date of installation. Because plant survival depends heavily on proper watering and care after installation, losses caused by improper care, neglect, animal or chemical damage, or extreme weather are not covered, and we must be given the chance to inspect a struggling plant before it's removed or replaced. Coverage is one replacement per plant. Read our warranty info.