Pillow Talk® Gardenia
Shrub
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- Covered in large, classic blooms
- Appealing cushion-like habit always looks neat and tidy
- Fantastic fragrance
- Certified Deer Proof™ by Proven Winners® ColorChoice Shrubs.
- Zones 7-10, full to part sun/shade, 3-5' tall x 4-7’ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Details
Patent #: PP#35036F
Common name: Gardenia, cape jasmine (though it is not related to true jasmine)
Zone: 7-9; down to 6b with protection
Sun exposure: Sun (6+ hours sun), part sun (4-6 hrs sun)
Height x width:3-5’ x 4-7'
Flower color: White
Foliage color: Bright green, evergreen
Bloom season: Spring-early summer
Bloom time: Spring
Features: Rare & unusual, Proven Winners, heat tolerant, deer resistant, new, fragrant
Uses: Foundation planting, hedge, ornamental, flower gardens, specimen
How to Grow
Light: Can grow in full to part sun; the hotter your climate, the more shade it can take.
Water: Average to high water needs. Plants that are drought stressed will be more susceptible to pests and diseases, so proper care goes a long way.
Space: Min. 4’
Fertilizing: Fertilize in early spring, once the ground has thawed, with a granular rose fertilizer. If your soil is not acidic, more frequent fertilization may be necessary.
Winterizing: No special treatment is required in warmer areas; 2-3" of mulch is recommended in cooler climates.
Maintenance & Pruning: Little to no pruning required. If you wish to prune, do so after it blooms in spring. It blooms on old wood.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
Looks to be thriving. Good instructions along with the plants. It has had one bloom already
The plants are young and I don't expect them to bloom until next year. But they were healthy and now are settling into West Texas soil.
As pictured and Arrived in good condition -
Pillow Talk® Gardenia
Arrived alive and very healthy! Even came with new leaves coming on. I’m very happy with this purchase and shipping.
Everything about this order was perfect! Our flowers shipped right when they were supposed to, they arrived extremely well packaged and protected, they already had blooms on them when they got to us, and they have been perfectly fine since we got them and put them in the ground. Thank you so much for a wonderful experience!
Received with two leaves barely hanging on. 3” tall “plant” with the rest of the dead and dying leaves in the shipping package. Tried to revive, but could not.
Hello! We’re sorry that you received plants that are not up to our standards. We try our best to provide excellent plants, but some factors, like shipping and handling, are outside our control. That’s why we have a 60-day guarantee on all of our orders. Please email your order number and pictures of your plants to us to start the claims process. We look forward to helping!
I ordered 3 of these last spring, they were healthy until temperatures dip into the teens for a couple of days this winter. Even covered with a frost cloth they died back to the ground. I would not call these cold hard for zone 8 even though rated for zone 7.
We’re sorry you’re having trouble with your plants! Our team of horticulture experts would love to take a closer look! Our fall guarantee covers plants received after September 1 until May 2025, so we have you covered. Please send your order number and pictures of your plants to [email protected] to start the claims process if necessary. We look forward to helping! https://bit.ly/ggp-guarantee
I love buying plants from Great Garden Plants because they all arrive in great condition, quickly, and even though they are on the smaller side, it's fun to watch them grow and thrive. So looking forward to watching everything bloom.
This plant came in small (6"?) but hearty. I planted it three months ago. It's starting to grow but still looks lush and healthy.
Very very happy with your quality of plants.
Plants arrived in fairly good shape. Great packaging held plants in place. They were pretty thirsty though, but after a good drink and a couple days to recover, they are all doing great! Plant was very small but has doubled in size in just a couple weeks and very healthy!
These arrived well packed and in good shape. However, they are MUCH smaller than I expected, so I am a bit disappointed and underwhelmed.
We’re sorry you’re not satisfied with your plants! On each product page and our plant sizes page, we note that all of our plants are young. The size of our plants varies depending on the time of year and whether they were recently trimmed. The most important thing when purchasing plants, online or in garden centers, is a full and robust root system, which we prioritize. Trimming only encourages stronger root development! All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please contact us to start the claims process if necessary. Thank you for your feedback!
These arrived well packed and in good shape. However, they are MUCH smaller than I expected, so I am a bit disappointed and underwhelmed.
Hello! We're sorry you're unsatisfied with your plants! As we noted in your previous review, we do note that all of our plants are fairly young with strong root systems. This allows the plant to establish quickly in your garden. All orders are covered by our 60-day guarantee, so please contact us to start the claims process if necessary. We appreciate your feedback!
My gardenia arrived in good condition and is doing really well in it's new pot..
I ordered 6 pillow talk gardenias and planted them about 6 weeks ago. Can’t believe how they have taken off. They are almost double in size with new shoots. I am so pleased with this company and the quality of their plants. I ordered gardenias in the spring for my front flower bed and they look wonderful. When they arrived they already had buds on them. They bloomed continuously during the summer. I couldn’t be happier with my purchase(es).
It's doing well so far. Thanks for asking (at an appropriate time).
Every year, my gardenias die during the winter. I'm in zone 8 and I mulch them well. I usually cover with burlap during severe cold snaps. I've had to replace them every year for the last 3-4 years. Advise please!
Hi there! Mulching and covering the plants with burlap during cold snaps are great ways to help gardenias through the winter months. Additionally, it's important to ensure that the gardenias enter the winter with adequate moisture. They should not be allowed to dry out completely, even in winter. Making sure they are planted in an area where they will be sheltered from winter winds is also crucial. Wind can cause additional stress and drying, which may be detrimental to the plants over winter. I hope this helps!
If planted in a pot, zone 6b central Indiana, would it thrive if brought inside, placed in front of a window, during winter?
Hi! If you decide to grow your gardenia in a pot and bring it indoors for the winter, make sure to provide it with plenty of bright light and maintain proper humidity levels, as gardenias prefer these conditions. Additionally, avoid placing it in drafty areas or near heat sources that could dry out the plant. Remember, each plant has its own personality, so it might take a little trial and error to find the perfect spot for your gardenia over the winter months.
Would it be ok to plant this in a deep 12-14” diameter pot?
Hi there! The rule of thumb is that plants are winter hardy in containers if it is two zones hardier than the zone you live in.
Is this gardenia shrub a perennial plant?
Hello! Yes, this is a shrub that will last for years.
Is this a grafted gardenia plant?
No this plant is not grafted.