planting my new gardenia bush outdoors

Question

My daughter just gave me a 3′ high potted gardenia. I live in Murphy, NC. and the fall fluctuates in temperature quite a bit. . . today 40 in the am, and tomorrow could be even colder, the afternoons are from 50’s to mid 70’s. What is the best location for it and can it take the temperature changes?

Answer 1

It looks like your zone is 7, or 6b. Gardenias will survive there, though there will be a few days in the winter that will get too cold for gardenias. Planting the gardenia in a place that will protect it from those few cold days (e.g. walls retain heat, which will help warm the plant) will ensure its survival. Mulching and wrapping the plant in the winter will also help protect against the cold.