What's eating my gardenia 'kleim's hardy'?

Gardenia 'Kleim's Hardy' shares the gardenia family's notorious pest susceptibility. Whiteflies are the most frequent problem — Clemson Extension calls them the most common gardenia pest — followed by mealybugs, scale, and aphids. Pests produce honeydew that triggers sooty mould, turning leaves black. Check leaf undersides routinely; treat with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil at first sighting.

Clouds of tiny white insects on leaf undersides; honeydew, sooty mould; yellowing and dropping leaves Spray leaf undersides with insecticidal soap or neem oil; repeat every 5–7 days; use yellow sticky traps to monitor

White cottony masses at stem joints and leaf axils; wilting, yellowing foliage; sticky honeydew Dab with isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab; spray neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly; remove by hand

Brown or white bumps on stems and leaf undersides; sooty mould; plant decline over time Scrape off with a soft toothbrush; apply horticultural oil; repeat in 2–3 weeks to catch crawlers

Clusters on new growth; curled distorted shoots; honeydew and sooty mould Blast off with a hose; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; attract beneficial predators