Gardenia

We had a large bush growing on our property overseas, but woudl like to try growing one over here. From various posts I gather that the Gardenia can be grown and that there is a varety hardy enough to stand up to our winters. We live in Worcestershire and generally only have winter temperature down to about -1C degrees. Would really like to have it planted outside but unsure on which vareity to choose. Any advice please?

 

Hi Surfer

Thompson and Morgan are offering a hardy gardenia called 'Kleim's Hardy':-
http://www.thompson-morgan.com/plants1/product/p85267/1.html

I've no experience of growing it, and some of the reviews I've read have been a bit mixed. But I guess at a tenner a plant, it might be worth a go.

 

I've had a kleim's hardy for about four years.
Well not the same root actually.

I grew it in a container and it was OK for the first winter but the winter before last killed the roots even though the top growth survived.
I managed to get some cuttings before the whole thing died.

These I'm growing on now, but planted out this time.

I get the impression it likes it hot but fairly wet during the growing season, not the kind of weather we get often.
Flowering is a bit sparse, but it appears to be winter hardy up to a point, as long as its not too cold.