LoveToKnow Garden:AllComments

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It is best to prune right after blooming to assure flowers the next season.

Prune off all dead branches. Other branches ca be pruned as much as you want, as long as you leave at least five or six inches.

We also have another article on pruning, Gardenia Pruning.

-- Contributed by: Kathleen Roberts

I have two Gardina bushes, one is about 5feet tall,which I need to cut shorter, covering window. How far down should I cut it? The other one is only two foot high and looks like it is dieing. I plan to prune both. Any suggestions?

-- Contributed by: callie

Hi Tim,

I think Jeanne meant that you should leave a minimum of five to six inches. You can certainly leave them longer if you prefer.

It sounds like you are already doing a great job with your gardenias. I'd say, keep doing what you're doing because it's working.

-- Contributed by: Kathleen Roberts

A couple of typos in the other post...it is over 7 feet tall and 15 to 18 feet around.

-- Contributed by: Tim

There is hope. I have a Gardenia plant that is older than me...and I'm 51. My father planted it at the house I grew up in, before my birth. After I graduated HS in 76, they moved and took a few snips with them. Mom's houseplants quickly died, but dad's 'just stick it in the ground and it'll be alright' gardening technique worked beautifully. This plant is not over 7 feet tall and probably 15 to 8 feet around. I have to trim it every 3 or 4 years to keep it off the house.

So..my question is about your statement of leaving 5 to 6 inches to support new growth. Does that rule apply to a huge plant like this one? or do I need to leave longer branches?

-- Contributed by: Tim

Try pruning it back a bit so it isn't as leggy. Then you can try a good fertilizer which you can read more about in Fertilizer for Gardenias.

Gardenias can pick pick so try to be patient.

-- Contributed by: Kathleen Roberts

My gardenia bush is 5 yrs. old & 5 ft. tall. It does not "bush out" & has only flowered once! What can I do to get a bushy, flowering gardenia? I am in zone 9 (Florida). PLEASE HELP!

-- Contributed by: Gwen

As the article mentions, the best time to prune is when it is done blooming, usually late summer to early fall.

Regarding how much to prune, just remove enough to shape it the way you want it. If it is too big, cut it down to where you want it, but there is no need to get carried away.

-- Contributed by: Kathleen Roberts

When is the best time to prune gardenias and how far back can you prune them?

-- Contributed by: Jim
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