Gardenia Jasminoides Kleim's Hardy

[DannyK]

I see someone bought themselves one as a present.

I've killed one previously.

Don't grow indoor one as it's a magnet for red spider.

How hardy is Gardenia Jasminoides Kleim's Hardy? Is the hardiness just sales puff?

[AntC]

Will only tolerate a slight frost, so not very. Likes an acid soil if I remember.

[DannyK]

Thanks Ant, don't think I'll bother then. That's saved a few bob!

[nickdub]

I see someone bought themselves one as a present.

I've killed one previously.

Don't grow indoor one as it's a magnet for red spider.

How hardy is Gardenia Jasminoides Kleim's Hardy? Is the hardiness just sales puff?

Hi Danny,
I'm the party who is guilty of buying extra plants I think :-)

My experience with doubtfully hardy shrubs is that they do change a bit as they get older, I have had several young ceanothuses killed in winters which I had struck from cuttings, while the 20+ year old parent plant only a 20 meters away and also out in the open, survived no problem and is still going strong.

My plan for the Gardenia is to grow it in a sheltered corner I have next to the conservatory, but I will be overwintering it inside this winter, just to play safe (its only about 9" high at the mo). I will have to look at changing the soil ph probably by adding some leaf mould etc, as I garden on a limestone based soil. I may rig up some sort of temporary cover for it to keep the cold out next winter, if I can be bothered.

You never really know with semi-hardy plants until you try them - sometimes providing excellent drainage by raising the growing level and adding gravel is more important, than exactly how cold it gets.

Cheers Nick