Is Gardenia deer resistant?

Rutgers has not rated gardenia; E271 was compiled in northern New Jersey, where it does not grow. The tier here is a conservative mapping from NC State's Plant Toolbox, which lists deer among the challenges Gardenia jasminoides resists, into Seldom Severely Damaged, the same treatment this site gave wild bergamot. That is a single-category source read cautiously, and it is the best available.

Do deer eat gardenias?

Not often, on NC State's account. The glossy, leathery evergreen leaf is the kind deer pass over, and the scent that makes the shrub worth growing is a strong one. Rarely is not a rating this site can give without a trial behind it, and none consulted here scores gardenia against deer. Under heavy pressure the soft new growth and the flower buds are the parts at risk, and a young plant at 2 feet has all of both within reach.

Where it grows

NC State: hardy from zone 7b through 11, in dappled sun, partial shade or full sun, in acid soil with good drainage, reaching 4 to 8 feet. It flowers spring and summer. North of that it is a container plant that comes in for the winter, which also settles the deer question.

Protecting a gardenia

A cage for the first two winters, until the framework is above browse height, or the 20 percent egg spray Colorado State rates High on the new growth in spring, renewed at about thirty days. The ASPCA lists gardenia as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, principles "genioposide, gardenoside," signs "mild vomiting and/or diarrhea, hives"; the callout below carries it.

If it is browsed

An established gardenia regrows from the browsed stems the same season and flowers on the new growth; the loss is that spring's buds on the eaten shoots. Yellow leaves on a gardenia are almost always soil pH or drainage, and get blamed on deer about as often as they deserve.