Hi Madreselva..You're plant is definately a Gardenia. I see where the name can be confusing. Aside from Gardenia Jasminoides, it's also called Gardenia Augusta. Other common names: Cape Jasmine and Cape Jessamine. One day I plan on researching why Jasmine and Jessamine are used. Meanings. I have a plant, Murraya Paniculata, that is closely related to Citrus. Common names are Orange Jasmine and Orange Jessamine, yet this plant isn't related to Jasmine whatsoever. Confusing. No need for a pic..your description of its flowers tells it all. First glowing white then a buttery, creamy yellow as flower ages. And very very fragrant. Gardenia blooms are larger than Jasmines, too. Are you new to plants? Although Gardenias are one of the lovliest, fragrant plants around, they're not the easiest, especially when grown indoors. Some people go through one Gardenia after another. If by chance, 'hope I'm wrong,' your Gardenia fails, don't feel bad, and don't give up. When tropicals are shipped from Fl, (Perfect climate) to other locations, there's some stress involved. If they're sent to a green house, where artificial climate is controlled to suit a plants need, they're happy. Happy plants mean healthy plants. Once they leave the green house, brought into a home, lower humidity, less fresh circulating air, and certain amount of light, the change is stressful. Since Gardenias are extremely fussy, it takes effort and work to keep them going. If you ever get a chance, stop at the Fragrant Plant Forum here on GW. There are numerous discussions about Gardenias. Although sad, some stories are very humorous. Now, the pot within the pot. You said there was a little water in the outer container. How long after watering did you check the amount of accumulated water? Days, weeks? Is it possible water evaporated before you lifted the inner pot? Can you measure the diameter of each pot..On top, from one side, directly across the opposite side. This will tell you pot size. Standard pots 'usually' run in even numbered sizes. 2", 4", 6", and up. Soil shouldn't stay constantly wet. It's needs to dry between waterings. Especially on cloudy, cool days. When was it last watered? Keep your Gardenia far from a heating vent. A cool, humid, brightly lit room is best. I don't know where you're located, but if temps are 50F or warmer, crack open a window, at least an hour a day. This helps air circulation. I mist leaves religiously, but do not aim at a plant when in bud or bloom. You can spray, using a fine mist, above or around your Gardenia. I really hope your Gardenia makes it this time around. It's a tricky plant. Toni

Westelle, I'd like to see that photo, thanks! Wanda, I've been looking at photos of clematis winding around with climbing roses and got that idea. Didn't realize they weren't an evergreen, hadn't gotten that far in my planning yet, thanks. I am so used to plants that do die back in the winter. Lowe's, HD etc are like candy stores to me and alot of times the info is not complete especially zone info and I thought I plotted carefully for what I did put in the yard. I was thinking dips below 32 and primarily how hot summer is here, had no idea we were going to have two weeks straight so far below freezing. BTW they were 2 degrees off last night, it was 26 not 28 and when I got up at 8am the back yard temp said it was 24 and from the frost on the ground I believe that one! I'll look up the ones you're advising on with the exception of Star Jasmine. I really love the smell of the flowers and love it in someone else's yard:) I would have thought that the way your back yard is enclosed your plants would have made it through better, sorry they didn't, you had some great looking plants, amazing what did survive. What will you do on the others, I know you're waiting for spring, but will you cut them all down or just cut back to where new growth starts on each plant at whatever height that is? Thanks for sharing your photos too. You can't measure in money your time and years in your plants, well you can, they'd be very, very expensive plants. I forgot my one verbena didn't make it through this freeze and my 8 lantana were toast from the first freeze. On a bright note I do have bulbs that are growing. I know what I planted but the writing washed off the stakes:) I'm trying to figure out where the crocus' are, in the mountains they'd be growing first by now and blooming soon, here I don't know, it looks like what's coming up now are iris. I planted those two, daffodils and narcissus. So I do have some color to look forward to while waiting to replant in the spring. Leslie

Richie, I started a post called, 'Richie, where are you?' Can we continue on the new thread..this one is a tad long, and takes forever to download. I'll never remember the questions you asked, so I might as well answer here..lol First, how are YOU doing? I hope your're well. And your mom? G/f? About my new Gardenias, I'm very upset. I guess the weather did more harm than I thought..I doubt any gardenias will make it..the temps were just too cold. I dont know if I should notify the owner or not, since he waited a long time before shipping. All the leaves are frosted, every last one. I dont know what to do. They turned black and crisp. I didn't mention it because I was in denial, hoping I was wrong, but they've pretty much had it. BTW, the nursery ships wonderful plants, it's not his fault. It's my fault for not asking him to hold them longer. Sounds like you got a bunch of new plants too..it must be the season, or maybe we can blame it on a full moon..lol For us in Il it's the season..tonight rain AND snow! I dont want to see snow until next year..lol Foxtail, Ming, Spreng and Plumosia Ferns are well, but need new, big pots..they are huge. In fact, you know those huge square pots to plant outdoor plants? The pots I'm talking about are orange, square. I might end up potting ferns inside each planter..the problem is I need 4 and they've gone up in cost. If they're 7.00, I can afford it, but if they're over 10.00 I'll have to devise another plan. Dividing! Variegated Ginger needs a huge pot too..gotta find a place that 'gives away' free pots..lol.. You're lucky you finished gardening..family helps..my family have no interest in gardening, so I don't ask. A lot of digging and planting..sigh..I feel like spraying weed killer, but won't..can't because of the dogs for one. Our little dog would be rolling in it..lol.. We had to give him an emergency bath a few mins ago..dh took them to the woods, and that little brat found a mud area..of course he came home with 4" of mud on his little body. He ran up to me, telling me he needed a bath which he got. The sink was filthy..he had enough dirt to fill up a plant pot..lol.. Richie, dont forget..I started the thread here on GW looking for you. Please answer on that thread..my puter takes too long to dl long threads..thanks, and I know I can speak for others, we're glad you're back..hugs, Toni

Tammy, You are so good with plants to have had all that success! I wonder if we are still doing this swap in the fall. I will try to remember what I had luck with. I should have kept a list. I have one kiwi that made it, the dragonfruit is still alive(although it is still about the size it was when it arrived), the Yukon Gold potato was a big success. Blue potato grew a few potatoes that were large enough to eat - mixed in with some grocery store ones when we ate them or else there never would have been enough, but it was fun to see what they look like! The other potatoes grew into plants, but if any potatoes at all, they were just tiny ones about a size that would fit in a teaspoon. I know someone sent some herb cuttings and those made it. A willow and pussy willow managed to get roots but died after a few weeks. This has not been one of my better years for getting plants to root and I don't know why. Seems like the weather has been more agreeable than most summers. I have taken cuttings from my own plants every few weeks and those have not been rooting either, so just an odd year. Jeanne