Pruning Back Gardenias

Question

I have 7′ gardenia bushes that are leggy and want to know if I can prune them back such that they are only branches without leaves? I would also appreciate your thoughts on other actions.

Answer 1

I would try a method called rejuvenation pruning. Prune back 1/3 of the largest or leggiest branches by up to 1/3 each year. This will bring the fullness back to the plant over the course of 3 years (though you will see a marked improvement in 1 year) without endangering the plant. Anymore than this and the plant may die.