Gardenia Chuck Hayes (growing, 2014, spring, leaves)

[sasie123]

In the Spring of 2014, I purchased a Chuck Hayes Gardenia, from a well-known company. that measured about 9 inches tall, upon arrival. I placed it in a 14 '' container, and she put out beautiful, White, large gardenias. The plant was well-rounded, and the leaves a shiny green. A really- beautiful specimen.

Well, one of my friends said that gardenias belong in the ground, especially in my zone 7 garden, and because of the cold weather, she will perform better, since Chuck Hayes is a hardy plant. So, in the Spring of 2016, I followed through, and placed it in the ground, with excellent soil, and sun, in a raised -bed. I gave it some mulching with leaves, and a piece of hopsack for further protection of the wind/cold.

Our Winter was horrific......one day was 60-70 degrees, the next day, it plummeted to 15 degrees F. She is alive, but appears to be struggling for survival. I water it when needed, fed her, since it is one of my favorite plants, and zilch........no response. She has been in the ground for a whole year, and I have been suffering for the whole year......

I have been thinking that maybe I should place her back, in the container where she did so well. What do you think? Thank you for your responses.

[hotzcatz]

If it's a big enough container, I don't see why not.

Are you sure gardenias need cold weather? We never get below 50° Fahrenheit (inside or outside) and the gardenias do just fine.

[cully]

I was in 7. The former owner planted one that was great for a while. But that side is in a wind tunnel. So combining a harsher winter with harsher hard blowing wind tunnel wind and it did badly. But, she pulled herself up again and is holding her own.

I think they don't like too much of too cold and don't like that ice cold wind.

[luv4horses]

Just a general rule of thumb. Never fertilize a plant that is not already growing. You fertilize to support the growth, not to cause it. Otherwise you will have semi-toxic levels of nitrogen.

[marino760]

I agree with the above. Don't feed a plant which is struggling to survive. It could be all it needs to finally kill it. Gardenias can take a long time to establish and sometimes they never do if planted in conditions they don't like. Perhaps some of the roots were damaged when you transplanted it. Wind, dry air, hot sun, soils that are on the alkaline side, none of it is good.