Hard Pruning of Gardenias

Question

My friend has established ‘leggy’ gardenias – leaves and blossoms starting about 2 to 3 feet from ground on bare wood. Exposure of plants is mostly shade. No maintenance pruning done to my knowledge in the past. Is it possible to prune back these shrubs hard after flowering with reasonable chance (and time frame) of recovery?

Answer 1

They can be pruned back by a third. This article should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/when-to-prune-a-gardenia.htm