Indoor /Outdoor Gardenia plant….and Hydrangea.

Question

I am a novice gardener. I have a gardenia plant hat was sent to me thru a florist last year for mothers day. I kept it indoors last summer and thru the winter (about 10in high) This spring I transplanted it into a large outdoor container (24″ by 18″deep) and it did great outside this summer. We can get some pretty bad winters here and I want to know if it will survive outside, or do i have to bring that big container indoors for winter? I live in PA.
I also have same question and situation with a Hydrangea ?

Answer 1

You are right to be concerned about the gardenia survival outdoors during winter. You are in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 6a. Even the "cold-hardy" varieties of gardenia will be frost sensitive there. So bringing it indoors to a sunny window exposure will be the safest way.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/gardenia/gardenia-winter-care-tips.htm

The same goes for the hydrangea, depending on the variety.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/hydrangea/winterizing-hydrangea-plants.htm