Suggest a hardy gardenia variety

9 years ago

Does anyone have a suggestion for a hardy gardenia variety that can make it through a tough zone 6 winter and has great fragrance. I'm in the Washington DC area, but I live in a cold spot with no concrete or black top to hold heat for several miles (next to Rock Creek Park) and I want to do the gardenia in a great big pot on the deck.

I know there are some newer hardy gardenia varieties out there. I'm hoping to hear experience talking about which ones really are hardier.

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Comments (3)

davidrt28 (zone 7)
9 years ago
Hhhmmmm...well I don't think anywhere that close to DC actually got below 0F. "Rock Creek Park" officially stops inside the city. At any rate no gardenia is going to truly be zn 6 hardy and obviously the existing so-called hardy ones are only hardy for mild-to-moderate zn 7a conditions.

I had both 'Kleim's Hardy' and a smaller 'Chuck Hayes'; considering the CH was much younger it died no more quickly, maybe even a bit less quickly. But by the, what was it, 5 or 6th round of record low temps in early March, they were both dead. Both would have been fine with the first drop to 3F if it had been the only one, and the KH had almost never been injured before. I'll probably just replace at some point w/CH, since the flowers are a little showier and no less fragrant. But they are both still deserving shrubs in the DC area IMHO, dying once every 20 years is manageable for a shrub if you don't mind the replacement cost and aren't using it as a "foundation" shrub. (OMG honey, our house lost its foundations! We'll have to move!)

This post was edited by davidrt28 on Tue, May 20, 14 at 5:28
funnthsun z7A - Southern VA
9 years ago
Had two new ones this year, Klehm's Hardy sitting in the pot this cold, cold winter and Chuck Hayes planted in the fall. The Kleim's Hardy made it (it was purchased at 1/3 of the size of the other one) and the Chuck Hayes croaked. Go figure. Apparently, it really is true that if you neglect a gardenia, it's much happier.
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I have heard there are a few varieties of gardenia that are hardy to zone 6. One of them is called Frost Proof. Since gardenias can die very quickly and easily indoors, you might actually be better off trying to push your zone limits a bit and find a warmer micro-climate in your yard where it can overwinter. For example, you could try planting it close to your house's foundation in the warmest part of the yard with lots of mulch, or maybe overwinter it in your garage. If you do try to overwinter it inside, my experience has been that the ideal for them is a combination of: cool temps, high humidity, and lots of light. This post was edited by summersunshine on Fri, May 2, 14 at 20:04
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My gardenia "Klehm's Hardy" has been really tough so far -- it actually stayed out in a 12" container all winter, though it was a mild one -- and had minor leaf damage. I did cover it with trash bags and old rugs when it got really cold and windy. Because it's sold as a "hardy" gardenia no one thinks about it as an indoor plant, but in my book, tough and hardy outdoors translates to "less killable" indoors. The only drawback I can see is it won't be as densely foliated as the tender varieties, but you're growing it for the flowers, right? I would also check with Woodlanders and Nurseries Caroliniana, who do a lot of business in your climate and sell a lot of gardenias, to get more info. Regarding keeping your gardenia alive during the winter . . . that's a whole 'nother topic, one that's addressed periodically here, so look through recent posts and the FAQ for lots more advice! Jim
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I have been growing both Kleim's Hardy & August Beauty for several years. The Kleim's is a pretty mature plant & finally flowered nicely for me this summer. I got a small plant of August Beauty about 2 summers back. It has had serious die-back each winter. I even put up a burlap wind-block last winter. It made just enough new growth last summer to stuggle through the winter. It is coming out of the ground & staying in a pot for a while. As to Chuck Hayes, I am guessing that it is intermediate in its winter hardiness between Kleim's Hardy & August Beauty. Here are my 2 suggestions. Ideally, plant it as early in the growing season as possible - late April or May. And do provide some winter protection the first winter. You might try surrounding it with hay bales & putting an old window pane on top, or possibly even using some of the Dupont Microfoam fabric that local camellia growers have been using for winter protection. Best of luck & please let us know how it performs over the next year. I am eager to try this one in my garden soon, too! Dan
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mistascott
9 years ago
I am in Northern VA. Had a 'Chuck Hayes' that is still alive but lost all of its leaves and has not put out any recovery growth. I potted it up for now.

I think Chuck is my favorite of the hardy gardenia cultivars. I also like 'Frost Proof' (smaller leaves than species) and one called 'Summer Snow' ('Chuck Hayes' X 'Kleim's Hardy' hybrid with large double flowers) which is supposed to be hardy to Zone 6.

However, keeping it in a pot (even a large one) rather than in the ground will significantly reduce its hardiness. Zone ratings all operate under the assumption that the plant is in the ground. The ground provides a great deal of warmth during winter. In a pot, the roots will essentially be the same temp as the air. Therefore, I don't think I would try a hardy gardenia cultivar in a pot unless you can move the pot to a protected location during winter (e.g., a garage or basement).

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Suggest a hardy gardenia variety

Comments (3)

davidrt28 (zone 7)

funnthsun z7A - Southern VA

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mistascott

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