Shrub 2.5 Qt. August Beauty Gardenia

Update Nov/9: After 6 months, my gardenia is going strong. I repotted it into a slightly bigger pot and left it out on my south-facing deck all summer. Though the description says it blooms mid-spring into summer, mine didn’t. For the first 3 months or so, the leaves kept yellowing and shedding, but new leaves kept growing as well. I brought it inside and put it by the south-facing patio door nearly 2 months ago. It adapted well and has been producing buds. I’m having more than 2 dozen buds right now, and more are coming I believe. The first bud bloomed yesterday, filling the house with a beautiful fragrance. I’m glad I bought in the first place. By the way, this plant was infected with aphids (green bugs that feed on new growth of buds and leaves). So check yours carefully when you receive it. I was inexperienced and didn’t check mine carefully. When I discovered a few days later, the bugs had already spread. I’ve been spraying and wiping the infected areas with neem oil and distilled vinegar but they keep coming back. Now I check every day to kill off any aphid I found to keep them under control. Seems like they’re here to stay :(. Update 5/15: I'm now on my 2nd blossom. The first one (attached pictures) lasted about a week and was incredibly fragrant. Even after deadheaded, it still smells awesome. I'm drying them all. The plant has lost a lot of leaves, but overall it still looks healthy. Original review: I'm one of those selfish people who benefit from others' reviews yet rarely write one. This time I have to write one since I'm so happy about this little gardenia plant. I was a bit skeptical & hesitant ordering it from Amazon because there were only 4 reviews, even though all of the reviews gave a 5-star rating. But I'm so glad I took the chance and ordered it anyway. The plant arrived today in perfect condition. The tips were bent since they were taller than the box, but luckily no damage done. There were some yellow leaves and quite a few with lots of black spots on them. However, the rest look green and lustrous. And my oh my, there are 15, yes you read it right, 15 buds. All of the buds are big and look very healthy. I can't wait for the buds to bloom into beautiful fragrant flowers. The plant stood 25 inches tall from the bottom of the pot it came in. Overall, this is one of those perfect buys that makes my heart jump with joy. I've never had a gardenia before and since I live in zone 4, I'll have to keep it in a container and mostly indoors (except in the summer where it will be on our deck). I just read about how to tend to a gardenia indoors and it seems this plant is a bit too high-maintenance, as well as easily susceptible to diseases. Anyway, I hope I'll be able to keep it alive.

I am very happy with my gardenia. She came well packaged and healthy. She was still a little moist and not dried out and the leaves are glossy. She is actively growing and already developing buds. I can't wait! This is a healthy nice start for my gardenia bush. She has a nice rooting system started and is a very nice size to give me a good running start. If you get one please remember to plant about an inch above the grade, not deep in good draining soil and water- water- water the first few weeks. They love moisture but not wet feet. The box came dented but the plant is super healthy. Beautiful - thank you.

Absolutely beautiful, healthy with blooming two days later!

This plant arrived DEAD. The plant was about 20" or so tall, all dried out and DEAD. the pot it was in was still moist. There was one tiny chute growing which has a green leaf on it, but the rest of the plant is dried and looks like it had been frozen and died.

Beautiful plant. Came well packaged and very healthy.

Good looking plant. Arrived in tact and in a good pot.

I was so pleased with my purchase from this company’s website. I received a large, healthy plant with lots of new growth and even some flower buds. I definitely recommend them.

Not blooming, no buds. Misleading photo