In cold weather how should I care for my gardenia bushes

Question

In cold weather, how should I care for my gardenia bushes? Two are in large pots and one is in the ground. I am in Austin, Tx. and we do get freezes but only rarely does it get into the teens.

Answer 1

As long as your freezes don't last more than a few days, you can wrap the plants in a blanket or sheet to help keep them protected. If it is raining or snowing, you can cover the sheet or blanket with plastic, but do not cover the plant with only plastic. If plastic touches the plant during the cold, it will kill it.

If you are expecting a cold snap that is more than a few days long, you may want to move the plants to a sheltered location for the winter, like near a wall or foundation.