Hardy gardenias are a beautiful thing. They’re deliciously fragrant and they can survive in the maritime Northwest, despite their tropical origins.
Yes, you can grow them not as houseplants, but as year-round outdoor beauties.
I bought the ‘Frostproof’ variety in the spring of 2008, put it in a pot and it is now thriving in its second season, even after that nasty winter we had and my, ahem, inconsistent watering. I didn’t even protect it from the elements, just left it right outside.
‘Frostproof’ has beautiful pointy evergreen (!) leaves, a tidy bushy growth habit, lots of flowers and, the fragrance, especially on these smoking hot days has been brilliant.
If there’s a downside, it’s that the flowers, when they’re done, turn a sad brown quite quickly.
Still … check out the photos.
Share your gardenia stories here. Does anyone grow them in the ground around here?
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