I live in East Tennessee, zone 6b/7a. I ordered 'Frost Proof' two years ago and it has been hit hard both winters. I truly expect it to die fully this winter as there is hardly anything left of it. As far as exposure, I have it planted next to my 'Mystery' gardenia which is almost 8' tall by now. Two others that do well for me are 'Daisy' and 'Chuck Hayes'. One I'm interested in trying is 'Madga' but I have over 500 gardenia seedlings so after the failure of 'Frost Proof' I have little justification to try yet another gardenia that may or may not be truly cold hardy.