What great news, Molineux! I'm sending this article to friends in NC who go to Herculean lengths to have gardenias, e.g., covers, pots moved from garden to shelter, etc. It's also good news for those of us who don't ordinarily have the extreme cold problem, but the fact that this one can take full sun is a huge benefit. I'm off to do some "googling" - in the meantime, do you know any mail-order sources? Thanks again.

Lauren,

Tell your friends that they can get a "Chuck Hayes" gardenia at Nurseries Caroliniana (www.nurcar.com). I have no idea how reliable they are but so far they've been the only online source I've seen that looked good. They are based in Augusta SC.

Good Luck,

Patrick

Horticulture students at East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, zone 6/7) planted a few of these gardenias around the science building last year. At first I didn't realize they were the new, hardier version. I figured they'd poop out during the winter. Was I in for a surprise. They did just fine! I can't wait for them to bloom.

Michael

Well I'm going to Hampton this weekend to visit my mother. McDonalds Nursery is just 15 minutes away from my mom's home so I'm planning on returning to Maryland with two Chuck Hayes in the back of my truck.

Hi Molimeux and everyone;

Do you have an address and telephone # for McDonalds? I've been trying to get a "Chuck Hayes" and haven't had any luck! Thanks for any help!!

JoyW

McDonald Garden Center
1139 W Pembroke Ave
Hampton VA 23661-1119
757-722-7463

Thanks so much!

JoyW

I have planted chuck hayes gardenia this spring. I purchased them locally after reserching local nurseries. Prices ranged from 29.99 per 1 gallon pot plant to 5.99 per 1 gallon pot plant or 10 for 55.00. I purchased 10 healthy plants at 10 for 55.00. In May I planted one under each window of my house facing north, south, east and west, each plant gets atleast 4 hours to 8 hours sun each day. They are all in bloom at this time with the most enormous double gardenia flowers I have ever seen. I am praying they make it through the winter. I am wondering if I should mulch them this winter with straw or leaves to protect them from the severe weater and winds we experience in delaware. They are all doing extremely well in all exposures. I fertilize them with hollytone and miracle grow.

Hi again, Molineux! Tell me if you know if this variety does well in the heat and drought of zone 8b, east Texas? I love my August Beauty gardenias, but would like a smaller variety for some locations.

Sorry wildrose but I have no experience growing it in an arid environment nor have I heard from someone in your neck of the woods.

BTW, I only bought one this year. He has adapted particularly well to my clay soil and is thriving.

Time for a CHUCK HAYES update. My single plant is in a northwest corner of my yard next to the house. This baby gets nothing but filtered sunlight and is absolutely gorgeous. Glossy green leaves, no disease, and he just finished his first and very long bloom cycle. Let me tell you he was literally C-O-V-E-R-E-D with intensely fragrant double white blooms. To smell him all I had to do was open the window above the plant and the intoxicating fragrance would waft into the room. My CHUCK HAYES is planted in red clay soil. The only fertilizer I used was coffee grounds. I only infrequently watered him. This gardenia is thriving on neglect! I've never seen such an easy to grow gardenia in my life.

If he survives our zone 6b winter I'm gonna be the envy of the neighborhood next year!

Thanks so much for the info! I had been looking for a Klein's Hardy Gardenia, which I heard about on Landscape Solutions with Rick Kaldrovics on HGTV, but have been unable to find a garden center that had even heard of it! Here in middle TN, they are all still selling the "regular" gardenias, which won't make it thru our winter (without the pampering someone else mentioned - blankets, etc.).

However, the Chuck Hayes sounds even better! Do you know if anyone else sells it, (like a Lowe's?) or is the McDonald Garden Center the only one? I will try to call them tomorrow.

JbsmithTN

I just purchased a Chuch Hayes gardenia at Cistus Nursery in Oregon. You can check out their web site and mail order info. at www.cistus.com. They are a small nursery on Sauvie Island just outside of Portland, OR. They have been promoted by our local garden radio guy and seemed to have a good reputation.

I am very excited about Chuck Hayes after reading your message. I live in Charlottesville, VA (central VA), zone 7. I guess Chuck Hayes will survive the winter here according to your message. My soil is well drained clay. I am wondering whether Chuck Hayes will survive on this soil.

Thanks,

Kai

I just purchased this gardenia at Seabright Nursery just north of Salem, in Oregon. I am wondering about the mulching as well.

I just received 2 Chuck Hayes gardenias in gorgeous condition from Rare Finds Nursery in New Jersey - ordered online and asked them to ship when the time was right. Fingers are crossed. I'm 11 miles south of The Capitol.