Brown Leaves and Stems on Gardenia

Question

I planted two gardenia bushes this past spring, and they did not blossom this past year. We had a very cold and snowy winter and my bushes have brown leaves and stems. Will they recover and bloom this year? Do I need to prune away the brown leaves and stems?

Answer 1

If the stems are still alive, they will regrow their leaves. I would give them a month, and if you do not see growth by then, they are most likely dead. Wait until you see growth before pruning away the dead branches so that you do not inadvertently cut off healthy stems. These articles will help you as well:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/how-to-tell-if-a-plant-is-dead-and-how-to-recover-an-almost-dead-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/tips-for-saving-cold-damaged-plants.htm