Gardenia

A couple of months ago I bought a Gardenia Kleim's Hardy from my garden centre. As my garden is not suitable for acid loving plants I grow them in pots in an ericaceous compost. The Gardenia seems to be doing quite well in it's largish pot in direct sun, but I'm a bit concerned about the coming winter.

Has anyone else tried one of these plants, and if so what is the best way to care for it once the frosts arrive?. I have a feeling that the Hardy bit could be misleading so would welcome some advice, thanks.

 

they are pretty hardy jovi,

Mine came through last winter alive, well the top was anyway.

The roots died, I guess the pot froze and so I would say that as long as the roots dont freeze the plant will survive.

I recorded minus 10C on two nights last winter, my usual would be minus 5C absolute minimum.

I should say that it survived the winter before with no problems.

I managed to get a few cuttings rooted once I noticed that it wasn't growing this spring.
So all is not lost.

 

Thanks Pete, maybe I should find some way to protect the roots just in case we have a hard winter.

 

I find keeping plants very close to the house wall is a good idea during freezes.

Maybe some bubble wrap around the pot from about late Dec till march might help.
Make sure the pot can drain freely though.

I didn't bother last year with this plant as it had survived the previous winter.

 

Bubble wrap it is then, I might also move it to the front of the house as that is south facing, and always seems slightly warmer than the back.

 

Going to get a couple of these, all comments appreciated