I say slowly introduce it to the full south morning/noon sun. If the sun is super hot in the summer then it'll need some shade. Gardenia is hard to kill if you grow it in a good soil mix, watch your watering and feed it regularly.

Good luck and post some pictures when yours blooms!

Hard to kill - according to the ghosts of all my gardenias past, they were not told that.

I will try to inch it into the south light. (It will be in the shade after noon). It's starting to drop buds. I'm pretty sure that I am being penalized for moving it outside (not that it would have been happy inside.)

Thanks!

Give it some time to adapt. Meanwhile watch your watering! Gardenia is so sensitive.. can't underwater it.. can't overwater it *hm..sigh*
In the future try the hardy cultivars; They are much more vigorous imho :O)