What's eating my gardenia 'frostproof'?

Gardenia 'Frostproof' is as pest-prone as other gardenias. Whiteflies are the headline problem across the genus, with mealybugs, scale insects, and spider mites also common. All four pests tap plant sap and produce honeydew, fuelling sooty mould. Inspect the undersides of leaves weekly; catch infestations early and treat with horticultural soap or oil before populations explode.

Dense white clouds beneath leaves when disturbed; sooty black mould on upper surfaces; leaf yellowing and drop Spray leaf undersides with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil every 5–7 days; use yellow sticky traps to track numbers

White woolly clusters at leaf joints and stem nodes; sticky honeydew; weakened, drooping growth Remove by hand or with alcohol swab; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly until clear

Yellow or white leaf speckling; fine webbing on undersides — worst in hot, dry spells or when stressed Increase humidity; spray undersides with neem oil or insecticidal soap; repeat every 7 days for three treatments

Hard or soft shells on stems; sooty mould; generalised yellowing and slow decline Scrub off with soft brush; treat with horticultural oil at crawler emergence; repeat after 2–3 weeks