Pruning your gardenias

Q: I do not want to interfere with the flowering of my gardenia. When do I prune it?

 A: It flowers on new spring growth so prune it after it flowers in spring or in late winter before growth begins.

 Q: What is a variety of gardenia that grows well in this area?

 A: Gardenias are considered high maintenance since many pests find them tasty. A good variety for this area is August Beauty. It blooms in spring and later in the summer. It also seems more tolerant to varied soils.