just took this picture this morning

Hi Stef,

Which variety is your Gardenia, and what's your zone?

Some nursery-people claim Kleims Gardenia is hardy to zone 5, but I have doubts.
Believe me, if I knew for certain a 'denia would survive IL winters, I'd have two. One in front, a second out back. :)

I've talked to people who live in z7. Some have problems over-wintering Gardenia in-ground.
Some growers mulch heavily, and add Christmas lights nearest roots. Light bulbs that emit heat.

The flower on your Gardenia is precious.

Perhaps you should have purchased two. One to keep outdoors, as an experiment, a second summered outdoors, but wintered inside.

Buying two, especially if citrus were on sale would be worth an experiment.

On the other hand, if your Gardenia was expensive, I'd await other GW comments. People who grow Gardenias and/or grow outdoors in lower zones.

Good luck, Toni

The picture is so beautiful!