I noticed the first bloom on my gardenia plant yesterday. They have a wonderful scent. I bought the plant several years ago at HD, and keep it outside in the summer. I have moved it up to a large pot over time. It blooms until the nights start to get warmer, which here in zone 4 may be in July. I leave it outside until frost threatens, and by then it has set new buds. For the winter, I keep it in an east window, and keep it very well watered, which can mean 1 gallon of water every other day. Now I have about 50 or 60 buds swelling. I know this plant has traditionally been a magnet for pests, but I have occasionally had a few white flies, but not much else. I don't have the setup to attach a picture, but suggest this plant for others when it is for sale in the garden stores this spring.
Susan in Minneapolis
gardenia blooms
I put 3 in the ground on a north wall last summer. This year they have already put on new growth, and i'm enhancing the soil to create more acidic environment because i want some flowers too!