Species gardenia
white flower with yellow-brown center, lime-yellow buds, lime leaves and brown stems

gardenia

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy'

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' is an amazing plant for gardens and landscapes. Its fragrant white blooms and glossy foliage make it an ideal ornamental shrub. It's evergreen in temperate climates and has good drought and heat tolerance. In addition, it requires very little maintenance and is quite disease and insect resistant. Its hardiness makes it perfect for beginner gardeners, and its exceptionally strong scent will turn any garden into a fragrant paradise. This gardenia will give your garden a stunning look year-round that's sure to bring a touch of grace and beauty to your outdoor living space.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Stem Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

8 - 11

Flowers:

White/ivory Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Part sun/part shade

Fruits:

Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

High

watering

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' needs to be watered when the top inch or 2 of soil feels dry. Avoid over-watering, as this can cause root rot and other issues. During spring and summer, water deeply at least once a week. During fall and winter, cut back on watering and check the soil before watering—the plant may need less water due to cooler temperatures. If the plant is planted in the ground, mulch on top of the soil can help retain moisture.

sunlight

Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy') is a plant species that thrives in full to partial sunlight. It does best in partial sunlight, or 4 to 6 hours of sunlight a day. This species requires slightly higher light levels than some other gardenia species, and can tolerate higher levels of light for short periods of time. Direct, full sunlight should be avoided, as intense midday sun can damage the plants leaves and flowers. In the summer months when sunshine is more plentiful, providing 8 hours of indirect, or filtered, sunlight is ideal. When the days become shorter in the winter, 2 to 6 hours of morning sunlight is sufficient.

pruning

For Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy', it is best to prune in mid-summer after its blooming has finished. Pruning should be done sparingly and modestly, no more than 1-third of the plant removed at 1 time. Begin by removing any dead or damaged branches first. Then, look for branches that appear to be lanky or misshapen, and lightly trim them to a desired shape or size. After that, selectively pinch or trim the outermost tips of stems and branches to promote a fuller, bushier shape. As a final step, lightly deadhead spent flowers to encourage more new blooms.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting Gardenia jasminoides 'Kleim's Hardy' typically begins in June and continues through August.

Hardiness Map

FAQ

Is the gardenia plant suitable for indoor or outdoor growing?

Gardenia plants are best suited for outdoor growing with morning sunshine and afternoon shade. They thrive in tropical and warm subtropical climates with frequent watering and well-draining soil. Those living in colder climates can grow gardenia indoors, but will require lots of extra care and attention. Plant your gardenia near a sunny, south-facing window to ensure plenty of light and consistent temperatures above 65F. A south-west-facing window is best, with east and west-facing windows as a secondary option. You should water your gardenia daily while maintaining humidity levels as high as possible.

Are gardenias tolerant of cold temperatures?

No; gardenias are not tolerant of cold temperatures. Gardenias need temperatures between 65-75°F (18-23°C) and will not survive temperatures that drop below freezing. Additionally, they should be protected from prolonged exposure to wind and rain, which can damage the sensitive leaves and flowers. If the temperatures in your area drop below 45°F (7°C), it is best to bring the gardenia indoors to protect it.

Should gardenias be planted in a particular season?

Gardenias should be planted in the early spring or late fall season when temperatures are mild. Gardenias prefer cooler temperatures for optimal growth and prefer to be planted in well-drained soil. In addition, they need to be planted in a spot that receives ample bright sunlight but is shielded from direct midday and afternoon sunlight. Finally, during the summer months, they need to be watered regularly and fertilized every two weeks.

Could gardenias be grown in containers?

Yes, gardenias can be successfully grown in containers! Container gardening is perfect for areas with limited space, or as an easy way to move the plants around to areas with more or less sunlight. When growing gardenias in containers, make sure to use a large one, close to 20 inches in diameter, with drainage holes and filled with potting mix. The container should be placed near a window that gets some direct sun, but it should also be protected from the wind. Deep waterings will be necessary in extremely hot, dry periods. Feed container gardenias every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer to encourage blooms. All in all, container gardening is a great way to enjoy gardenias, even if there's limited space.

Are gardenias self-pollinating?

No, gardenias are not self-pollinating. Gardenias require assistance from pollinators like bees to transport pollen from the male parts of one gardenia flower to the female parts of another. Without this help, it would be hard for some gardenia varieties to produce seed and fruit. As such, it is important that gardeners ensure their gardenia plants are in close proximity to bee-friendly flowers such as lavender for the best pollination and fruit yield.

Could gardenias be propagated from cuttings?

Yes, gardenias can be propagated from cuttings. This is typically done in late summer or fall when the new growth on gardenias has hardened off. Using a clean, sharp knife, cut 6-inch tip cuttings from the current season’s new growth. Remove any flowers and leaves from the lower half of the cuttings. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone then plant in a container filled with a soil-less potting mix. Care for the cuttings by providing indirect light and occasional misting. After a few months, you should be able to see signs of new growth and can then transplant your gardenia cuttings into a permanent location.

Are gardenias commonly used in landscaping?

Gardenias are beautiful flowering plants often used to line walkways and garden beds in landscaping designs. Gardenias produce white, fragrant flowers in the summer that attract pollinators and give a lovely fragrance in the garden. Gardenias are also deer and rabbit resistant, which makes them ideal for natural or low-maintenance landscaping where you'd like to control the wildlife. Lastly, gardenias are easy to care for, requiring regular watering and full sun or partial shade to thrive. Because of these characteristics, gardenias are quite often used in landscaping.