Source: Rare Find Nursery (NJ)
Size shipped: 1 gallon pot (measured about 1'3")
Planted: In ground, May 2020
First flowering: July 2020
(This plant stayed behind when I moved in 2021; therefore, the following text will receive no further updates.)
Oh boy. This is the only plant I've found on the Rare Find website whose description specifically says "Not Guaranteed." Indeed, I don't have much of a basis to believe this one is fully hardy, other than the breeder's claim of hardiness to USDA zone 6, similar claims from nurseries about certain other gardenia cultivars ('Kleim's Hardy', 'Pinwheel', etc.), and the fact that our friends in Jackson Township are growing it.
But when I smelled a gardenia for the first time, at the local supermarket, I knew I had to try it.
The folks at Rare Find have done right by me again, with a full, healthy-looking plant having a root ball that was not difficult to loosen up for planting. The gardenia is living in my front foundation bed between the two camellias and slightly in front of them due to smaller expected ultimate stature, and the northern exposure should mean sufficient protection from drying winter sun.
If it doesn't survive the winter, then my next choice for the spot would probably be an abelia -- maybe not as fragrant, but still fragrant, and should be mostly evergreen if I pick well.
In its first growing season with us, the gardenia showed no noticeable growth until July; time will tell if that is the norm in our area or just due to transplant shock. Since it didn't come with any visible flower buds, I was pleasantly surprised to see it bloom in July as well -- blooms on new growth, I guess? And the fragrance did not disappoint.