I can't answer your question but was intrigued by the new gardenia in the Parks catalog supposedly hardy to zone 6. Has anyone tried it?

Here is a link that might be useful: Grif's Hardy gardenia

Before you seriously look for one of these, perhaps you should google "suicidal gardenia" here on garden forums. It should be required reading for any prospective gardenia owner.

vigna, I've been trying to find a Chuck Hayes down here in the Portland metro area too. Even Cistus Nursery which specializes in "zonal denial" doesn't carry it. I put the readily available Kleim's Hardy in the yard at our beach house last August. They've bloomed and I'm waiting for spring and more new growth. Just the one blossom on a gallon plant made for a fragarant drive. Kleim's have single blossoms where the Chuck Hays is double so I'll keep watching this post in hopes someone knows a supplier.
As for "suicidal gardenia" I'm thinking humidity was the culprit and you won't lack for that on Vancouver Island.
Good Luck!!

Hi Vigna.

I have had a 'Chuck Hayes' for years, and it has done great. Mine is surrounded by ice plants, and still blooms like crazy. I am having trouble finding a picture, but when I get back to the house in Bremerton this weekend, I will take a pic and post it. Take care.

-Brian

I bet you will be able to find them in the spring. I've had one plus two Kleim's in the same siting through last winter and they are doing well, the Kleim's better than Chuck. I was talking to a man who works for the parks district here and he told me about a gardenia augusta (Chuck?) that was doing well in a public location - he said good drainage was the key. I'm waiting 'til spring to add another Chuck.

I think I've seen it at garden centers down here, so there may be hope. THE PLANT LOCATOR - WESTERN REGION sourcebook listed Cistus and Wells-Medina (Bellevue, WA) for it a few years ago. Wells-Medina would have gotten it from a wholesale grower, and may still be stocking it; I probably saw it there this past year.

Klehm's Hardy Gardenia -- bought one last December at Portland Nursery and planted it in a big clay pot. It is sitting against the house by the front door. It has grown slowly and had a lot of single fragrant blooms last year. I'm glad it's survived. Last winter it got down to 11 degrees in the yard for 3 weeks here so it's lived up to the hardiness test surviving that right after transplanting. They told me at the nursery not to buy any other type of gardenia for outdoors here.