Name: Gardenia jasminoides 'Frostproof' (Frostproof Gardenia)

Average Landscape Size: 3–4 ft tall × 3–4 ft wide; dense, compact habit

Sun Requirements: Partial shade to morning sun; tolerates more sun than standard gardenias

Water Needs: Moderate to high; consistent moisture preferred, good drainage essential

Deer Resistance: High

Cold Hardiness: USDA Zones 7–9; excellent freeze tolerance, stays evergreen through Houston-area winters

Fertilization & Pruning: Acid-loving fertilizer in spring and summer; minimal pruning needed

Detailed Description: The Frostproof Gardenia is your answer to having that incredible gardenia fragrance without the freeze worry! This tough beauty delivers all those gorgeous, waxy white blooms and intoxicating fragrance you love, but with superior cold tolerance for our Houston-area winters. Most folks maintain these at 3–4 feet, though they can reach 5 feet unpruned. Those creamy white flowers bloom from late spring into summer, filling your garden with that classic Southern perfume. Here in the Houston area, this is the gardenia that survives our occasional hard freezes and keeps on blooming – it's reliability you can count on!

Created: September 18, 2025