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Bloom calendar
Kleim
Dwarf evergreen shrub
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Dwarf evergreen shrub
- Height × spread: 2 to 3 ft × 2 to 3 ft (0.6 to 0.9 m × 0.6 to 0.9 m)
- Bloom window: late spring with a smaller fall flush
- Color & flower form: white; single star; up to 2 in across
- Fragrance: 3 strong
- USDA hardiness: zones 7 to 11 (site dependent)
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown
- Cut‑flower notes: Typical vase life is 2 to 4 days for individual blooms handled cool and clean.
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Smaller size than a typical gardenia.
- Single star flowers instead of double forms.
- Better cold tolerance for zone 7 sites.
- Good container performance.
Strengths
- Compact habit for tight spaces.
- Fragrant display near paths and entries.
- Handles brief cold better than many cultivars.
Care in one minute
Provide morning sun and afternoon shade in hot regions.
Use acidic soil with good drainage and organic mulch.
Irrigate regularly to keep soil evenly moist.
Feed lightly with acid‑forming fertilizer in spring and again six weeks later.
Prune after flowering to keep a rounded mound.
Shelter from winter winds in zone 7.
Watch‑outs
- Chlorosis on alkaline or limed soils.
- Whiteflies, scale, and sooty mold in humid weather.
- Bud drop with inconsistent watering.
Best uses (tags)
Provenance note
Documented by NC State Extension as compact and hardy; Clemson notes hardiness to about 10 °F.
References
- NC State Extension Plant Toolbox: Gardenia jasminoides ‘Kleim’s Hardy’
- Clemson Cooperative Extension HGIC 1065: Gardenia
- ASPCA. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Gardenia jasminoides
