Question
QUESTION: I live in zone 6 and would like to save the nice Gardenia I got as a present. Advise, what do I do ??

ANSWER: Hello Jack

Thank you for your question.

Gardenia's are tender plants and wont survive a winter outside in an area which gets frost.  Hopefully your plant is in a container?

If this is so, then it needs to be taken inside during the winter, either into a warm glass-house or if you don't have a glass-house a frost-free lobby or enclosed porch would be OK as long as it gets good light.  Don't feed the plant and water sparingly (once a month should be enough).

In spring begin to water the plant more often and give it a half-strength liquid feed to 'kick-start' it into growth.

If your gardenia is planted in the ground and it is still small, you could dig it up, put it into a pot of lime-free compost and follow the advice above.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The leaves are starting to turn yellow and drop, Is this a normal occurance? Yes, the plant is potted in a large container.I was planning to overwinter it in an home office which I keep at arrounf 70 degrees, should I lower the temperature?

Answer
Hello Again Jack

Leaves are probably dropping because the temperature is falling now, particularly at night, so take your plant in asap.

Your home office is a great place, no need to lower the temperature.  Do remember to give it good light and don't worry too much if growth slows down, all plants need a resting period, just keep the compost bearly moist and perhaps give it a very weak feed once a month.