Yes, I would trim the tall skinny growth that appears to spoil the plant's appearance. Pruning helps stimulate the maturating growth to fully develop thus plants produce more growth which will produce more flowers. I like abundantly misting plant right after pruning and a few time a day for a week or so.

Ankrara's Hobby Corner

Yes, I would prune the tall branches. Prune after flowering.

To get a nice and healthier plant, prune away after flowering. When the branches have the tip intact, the hormones stimulate the branch to keep growing in length. When you prune the tips, the hormones then signal the plant to activate more buds for side branches making the plant "fill up". The more we prune our gardenia the more flowers we get next spring. :)

Don't wait too late to prune. Woody plants should not be pruned in the late summer or fall.

Also, when pruning them (and most shrubs) cut back to about a scant inch above a strong 'Y' (fork) in each branch. Usually a bud will break out and grow from each side of the "Y' and this is what helps to shape and thicken a shrub.

hello my question to all is this i have one od the largest gardenias in the world we are talking guiness book huge i have to prune it and i want to save the prunes and grow more of this plant but everthing that i have tried fails so someone please help me i would like to more of these in my front yard and in pots if you nedd to send me and email my address is jacedognc@bellsouth.net i need help it done blooming so i would like to do it soon