Yes, now and it's very leggy. It looks like it's in an area that's pretty shaded (maybe dappled shade?) that might be part of the reason. Mine is a solid block of green and is in sun for all but the very late afternoon.

Looks leggy. Probably not enough sun. They like tons of sun to bloom well. I have a huge one that is in full sun from morning till night. Mine is full of buds now and I would not prune it. I am in Sarasota which is warmer than your area.

I would cut it down by half, give it some fertilizer (acid type is best) and see how it does. I would suggest increasing light if possible. Maybe prune some trees around it which might be shading it too much.

Jane

I've always been taught that gardenias need shade down here, in fact, it's recommended they are grown in partial shade in Z 9b and up. In full sun, the leaf edges and tips tend to burn. Maybe they've developed newer more sun-tolerant varieties since I learned that, though. I always try to grow them on an eastern exposure.

I always thought so too but mine is crazy old, huge, blooms constantly and gets tons of sun, not late afternoon sun though. I have no idea what the secret to siting and growing them.

Yes, some of the heirlooms can grow on their own roots and are much hardier than the hybrids which have to grafted. I'd love to have one of those old varieties. I keep looking in yards in our older neighborhoods here to find one, but no luck so far.

I can send you cuttings.

I won't swear mine is heirloom though. It has a gnarly knobby part on its trunk. I don't know if that is a graft or not.

I have severely pruned my gardenias before without any problems...but if you are a little worried don't take off as much as I have :o)

DG said: I've always been taught that gardenias need shade down here, in fact,
it's recommended they are grown in partial shade in Z 9b and up.

I'm so glad to hear that. I had no other place to plant my little gardenia, my stepson's Christmas gift, but in the front of the house where the oak tree hogs most of the sun except in the morning. I waited a couple of weeks after I planted it to give it some acid fertilizer, and it's currently sporting lots of flower buds.

FWIW when I was growing up in Miami we had a huge gardenia in full sun, and here on the treasure coast one of my neighbors has one that's about twenty years old, also in full sun except in late afternoon.

I would have said that bea's looks sun-starved.

Suncoast and Jane it does get a few hours of direct sun in the morning this time of year when the luve oaks aren't fully leaved and in the summer it gets filtered sun.

DG I'been told the same about the light requirements. According to UFL.edu they can take full sun, partial shade or shifting shade. So mine gets what it needs.gave it epsom salts and pruned it pretty hard and we'll see. The people who lived here before us were not gardeners so nothing was pruned or fertilized or fed.

Thanks for your help everyone.

I think that in mostly shade it will never be very densely branched