Gardenia, Cape Jasmine, Gandharaj 'Kleim's Hardy'

Here in Marietta, GA Zone 7A, I am constantly amazed at this plant. Three years ago, I tossed it because I had too many gardenias. 7 da...Read Moreys later, I noticed it was still alive so I just planted it in full sun on a hill. It took off immediately. So many plants truly suffer in hot Georgia summers but the Kleim's Hardy gardenia is not one of them. Smooth, healthy, dark green, glossy leaves, blooms on and off all summer ... completely unaffected by the heat .... this is one AMAZING plant. I also love that it stays relatively small - 2 x 2.

2" single, fragrant ivory flowers blooming in late spring into summer; lustrous dark green leaves. A slow growing, low mounded evergreen ...Read Morereaching 2 to 3 feet high and wide. Mine has been growing in a pot on my roof for two years, I do not bring it in for the winter and is doing very well.

I have only one stock plant that I put in the greenhouse in the winter months. I have about 16 cuttings that are doing very well. they w...Read Moreere transplanted into 3" pots 10/3/07. The stock plant is not looking too happy just now and I am concerned that it is too warm in the greenhouse for it. On the other hand, it is much too cold to keep it outside. Time will tell.
Our weather has been very unsettled and it is difficult to keep the greenhouse at a steady temp.

A fragrant, very hardy single-flowered variety of gardenia. Worth a try with protection as far north as Southern Ohio. Likes kept moist...Read More, can burn in too direct of sunlight, can tolerate salt and less-than-perfect soil.

UPDATE MAY 2007:

I am VERY excited! Today I have a green bud. With adequate siting, attention to microclimate, and mulching of the roots, Kleim's Hardy is root hardy to north central Ohio. -8 F, and a blizzard. Today I still have a gardenia. This is one tough plant! :)