I live in Northern Alabama. I was told by a local nursery that Gardenias cannot survive the winter here. I planted them anyway. All but 1 plant died the first winter. The surviving plant has lived in my VERY SUNNY garden for 4 years now. This summer is the first summer it has bloomed for me. The first 3 years I babied it watering it daily and giving it food. This spring and summer I had other commitments and did not baby the plant and wah la it bloomed..I mean it was covered with blooms. For the life of me I cannot figure out what I did. I am wondering if I should just leave it alone to get the best results from it.

I guess I should make my questions clear.

Are Gardenias suppose to live through the winter in Northern Alabama?

How tall can gardenia plants get?

Are they suppose to bloom every year?

If I trim the plant to try to make it grow more like a tree will I kill it? Does anybody know how to trim a gardenia without killing it?

It is planted in the worst RED Alabama clay and seems to be VERY happy. Is that normal??

Obviously I am a novice verses Gardenias HELP!!!! if you can.

Here is some good info that should answer all or most of your questions!! They overwinter outside here in South Carolina so I don't know why yours wouldn't be ok--especially after 4 yrs already overwintering outside!! Bonnie

http://mgonline.com/gardenia.html

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