Gardenia Jasminoides Kleim‘s Hardy White #3 Deer Resistant

'Kleim’s Hardy' is small, compact, and incredibly resilient. What makes this one special is the flower. Unlike the big, fluffy, rose-like blooms you see on most gardenias, 'Kleim’s Hardy' has elegant, single, star-shaped flowers with a bright yellow center. They look almost like a white daisy, but they pack that same knockout fragrance you expect from a gardenia. It’s a sophisticated, cleaner look that fits perfectly in a modern garden or a cottage border.

Here in the Triad, we are technically Zone 7, which is right on the edge for many gardenia varieties. That’s why 'Kleim’s Hardy' is such a winner for King and Winston-Salem gardeners. It was bred specifically for temperatures that make other gardenias die back. It’s rated to handle temps as low as 0°F to 10°F, which means it can generally sail through our winters without needing a blanket. It stays green and glossy while other plants are looking drab.

Why We Recommend It:

• A Different Kind of Bloom: We love the "star power" of this plant. The single, six-petaled flowers are distinct and charming. Because they aren't as heavy as the double blooms, they hold up nicely in the rain without drooping.

• Small but Mighty: This is a true dwarf shrub. It naturally grows into a neat, round mound about 2 to 3 feet tall. You won't have to constantly prune it to keep it from eating your sidewalk. It’s perfect for tight spaces.

• A Nose-Pleaser Don't let the smaller flower fool you—the scent is huge. One or two of these plants near your front door will greet you with that sweet, tropical perfume every time you come home in early summer.

Best Used For:

• Walkway edging (plant them in a row for a scented border).

• Container gardening (perfect for pots on the deck).

• Rock gardens.

• Mass plantings in front of larger evergreens.

The Specs:

• Growth Rate: Slow.

• Mature Size: Compact! 2–3 ft. tall and wide.

• Sun: Full Sun to Part Shade (Morning sun is best).

• Soil: Acidic, well-drained soil (and mulch it well!).

Ready for a star performer?

Read more about this hardy variety at the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, or come visit us at Mitchell's and see what we've got.