Kleim's Hardy Gardenia Shrub

Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia Displays Fragrant Creamy White Blooms and Evergreen Beauty

Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia Thrives in Southern Climates and Small Spaces

Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia is a compact, evergreen shrub with glossy foliage and highly fragrant, creamy white flowers. Ideal for warm climates, this hardy variety blooms in late spring and adds year-round beauty to containers, borders, and foundation plantings.

The hardiest of the gardenia jasminoides family, this dwarf-sized evergreen shrub offers a beautiful option for low-growing gardenias in containers, raised beds, and in the foreground of borders or foundation plantings. Even when not in bloom, the glossy dark green leaves will remain visually appealing year-round.

Blooming in late spring to early summer, the white flower buds and fragrant blooms will light up any planting site, entryway, or patio for anyone who walks by. A popular evergreen shrub with thick leaves that are seen in South Carolina, the plant may lose some of its leaves in fall making it slightly deciduous.

Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia Planting

Grow this flowering shrub sometimes called Cape Jasmine across the United States in USDA growing zones 7-10. Only a slightly cold hardy gardenia, the Kleims prefer warmer climates of the South.

The best planting time is early spring or fall. It can grow up to  2-3 feet tall and wide at full maturity making it an excellent small flowering plant.

Although tolerant of a wide variety of soils, Kleim’s Hardy Gardenia performs best in slightly acidic soils, which are well-draining soils with plenty of organic matter rich with nutrients.  Plant the Kleims gardenia in an area where it can receive full sun to partial shade. More afternoon shade may be required during the hottest seasons of the year but the morning sun is best.

Planting the Gardenia Kleim’s is easy. It is an acid-loving plant that is fairly low maintenance; however, it requires a little bit of TLC during the first year of planting to establish a strong root system. This care includes watering gardenias thoroughly and mulching with material such as compost or peat moss.

Kleim's Hardy Gardenia Care

A Liquid Fertilizer for Gardenias or slow-release acid fertilizer in early spring can also help the hardy gardenia jasminoides kleim hardy during the first few years against pests and diseases. 

It is best to prune this shrub only after it has flowered since pruning sooner will remove its potential flower buds. Prune the gardenia by deadheading the spent flower blossoms so new fragrant flowers can appear during the growing season.

It is not recommended to grow your gardenia indoors although we have heard positive stories of this being possible as long as it receives enough sunlight.

Why Buy From Perfect Plants?

When shopping for evergreen shrubs that will ‘wow’ your garden, be sure to buy from a grower! At Perfect Plants we’ve been growing plants on our family-run Florida farm since 1980. For quality you can trust, order from us!

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