Question
I was given a gardenia topiary as a gift about a month ago and it has just started to bud but the leaves have started falling off also, i care for it as per instructions so what am i doing wrong?  

Answer
Lorraine,

Gardenia's are very difficult plants, they require full sun all day long, very high humidity which is hard during the winter. The soil needs to be slightly moist, not soggy all the time. They do better in sandy soil when they are lightly watered every 3 days so they only dry out a little. Increas the sun and put it near other plants or a humidifier so the air is not too dry. Here is a web site that has complete info:

http://www.uri.edu/ce/factsheets/sheets/gardenia.html

Write again if you have more questions. Good luck.

Darlene