How to prune gardenia 'frostproof'

Immediately after main flowering, typically early to mid-summer. Shorten stems by up to one-quarter to shape the plant and encourage branching. Remove spent blooms down to the first set of healthy leaves. Cut out any dead or damaged wood at the base.

Annually (light shaping). Frostproof gardenia is a strong, upright grower that benefits from light annual shaping. Prune right after the main flowering period ends to avoid cutting off developing buds. Remove spent flowers, weak or crossing stems, and dead wood. This variety is less fussy about pruning than older gardenias but still resents hard cutting.

Shorten stems by up to one-quarter to shape the plant and encourage branching. Remove spent blooms down to the first set of healthy leaves. Cut out any dead or damaged wood at the base.