Question
I want to plant several everblooming gardenia in an area that gets only shade from early October to May. This area does get full sun in the morning until about 2:00 PM the rest of the year. I live in Southern California near the ocean in zone 24.  

Answer
Hi Ken,
 Here in eastern North Carolina we call these shrubs "Florist Gardenias" because they are grown in greenhouses for the potted plant or florist trade. They are supposedly cold hardy to zone 10, so I don't think you would have any problem with them at all. The full sun dosen't really concern me as long as the plants are well watered during the hot summer months. I know that these plants prefer partial shade, but this is mainly because the blooms last longer when protected. I have also read that the sun can "scald" or burn the tips of the tender leaves in late spring to mid summer. I think if you "baby" these plants a bit the first year, you will have no problem at all. Don't try to fertilize them too much the first year as this will make them more susceptible to sun scald.