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

Okay, here we go... Back at it. - I tried 4x6 at front door as solo mat... okay, but a little too big IMO. My neighbor likes this size. I don't. This rug is not appealing to me either. just trying it for size. - a 4x6 looks weird in between the bench and the console. It just reaches the furniture. No wood showing in front of furniture and rug can't reach under furniture. so that's out. I was hoping for this arrangement to keep price down, but that never seems to work for me - LOL! - a 5x8 in the long part under the furniture is so-so. This one is actually 5'3"x7'6". I think my foyer is too small for this look, but it does have the potential to cozy things up. It's hard to visualize a final product with all these mis-matched patterns. This rug is actually going on the deck. Also with my new artwork, I think my color scheme has to change too. (Sorry, tribbix, portera et als, don't luv anymore.) Here is side by side of new color on wall and new 3x5 doormat rug (which claims to actually be 3 1/2 x 5 1/2.). This is in my shopping cart and I feel okay buying it online because it is NOT 100% polypropolene (outdoor). It is 50/50 with acrylic and says "plush pile" so it should be fine in that "too outdoorsy" respect I don't want. The deck rug looks like a deck rug in the wrong part of the house. ta da... What do you think? I hope the colors are true to my monitor. If I really love it, I can still look for it in a 5x8, but I really don't feel like paying the price of a non-outdoor 5x8 right now. I have a ton of new landscaping to do at my new place and I'm chomping at the bit to get into it as the weather is improving.

I have 2 outdoor rugs. One in PA and one in FL. neither one was expensive. I just bought cheap ones off I believe eBay b/c I didn't want to spend a fortune when I wasn't sure it would hold up. The rug in FL is out from Nov-April when we're here. It has held up amazingly. I'm shocked. It is in a screened in lanai and covered, but it also is exposed to lots of salt water from the dogs getting out of the pool and rolling around on it and to dirt from their paws. It has stayed beautifully clean and in great shape going on year 3. The rug in PA is out from April-Oct. It has also held up well but it's only going on a year. It's also in a covered screened in area. Neither rug is flipped back to sweep. We have lots of plants so leaves fall on it. They are picked up by a broom and dust pan if there's lots of them or a shop vac if there aren't a ton. The housekeeper does a regular vacuum with a Dyson maybe once every two weeks. No creepy crawlies have ever been under my rugs nor have leaves gotten in nor is there any mildew. I would not power wash either rug as I don't see a reason too and I would be concerned about damage. When not in use, the rugs roll up and are stored in a basement (PA) or in a closet (FL).

Tibbrix, my guess is that your client's D&A rug is one of the 100% cotton indoor rugs. They are indeed lightweight and not suitable for vacuuming. The D&A indoor/outdoor rugs are more hefty and can withstand vacuuming. Personally, I would never use a wool rug as a kitchen runner. My criteria for most fabrics, including those underfoot in high-traffic areas, are they must be easily cleaned and on a regular basis. Especially in the kitchen. Between feet and dog and spills and loading dishwasher by not-so-careful kids, and so on, my kitchen runner has to be washable in my washing machine, or it doesn't work. Unless I come across a cool vintage rug with patina TDF. Then perhaps I'll have wool in my kitchen.