| Author | Content |
dave
Jacksonville, TX
(Zone 8a)
 October 05, 2009
05:50 AM Post #7136222
| There are a total of 377 votes:
| Not at all. If experts say it won't grow here, I don't even try.
(40 votes, 10%) |  |
| I only experiment with plants and seeds I can afford to lose.
(48 votes, 12%) | |
| I push the zone recommendations all of the time!
(124 votes, 32%) | |
| Occasionally, I push the zone on something that I just have to have.
(158 votes, 41%) | |
| What is a zone?
(7 votes, 1%) | |
|
Previous Polls |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
October 05, 2009
05:59 AM Post #7136234
| I plant some annuals (Salvias mainly) in the ground besides in containers. I always hope the ones in the ground will survive the Winter, but they don't with the exception one planting of Salvia farinacea 'Victoria Blue'! It has overwintered in the place I have it for 2 or 3 years now! :-)
edited to add: I have not replanted it since first planting it in 2007. I am in zone 6, by the way.
This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 6:39 AM
This message was edited Oct 5, 2009 6:59 AM |
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
October 05, 2009
06:13 AM Post #7136253
| In this pic are three 'sort of separate' sections of Victoria Blue that I planted in 2007 among different varieties of Agastaches.
I have one of the 'sections' (pretty sure it's the one in the middle) still growing and blooming in 2008 and 2009!
Pic was taken July 25, 2007
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
October 05, 2009
06:28 AM Post #7136274
| Here's the Victoria Blue I was talking about that I planted in 2007.
This is taken July 2009 (couldn't find a pic of it from 2008).
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
October 05, 2009
06:34 AM Post #7136279
| Here's another pic of it taken in August 2009 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
Marilynbeth
Hebron, KY
October 05, 2009
06:37 AM Post #7136282
| Closeup of the previous pic 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
jeri11
Central, LA
(Zone 8b)
October 05, 2009
06:48 AM Post #7136292
| I push the limit all the time!!! I'm classified as Zone 8B but the last 5 winters haven't gone below Zone 9B. But of course that isn't good enough...I push for 10's & 11's. |
Aunt_A
Tulsa, OK
October 05, 2009
07:09 AM Post #7136309
| I always have hope and sometimes hope blooms. |
WaterCan2
Suffolk County, NY
(Zone 7a)
October 05, 2009
07:37 AM Post #7136343
| No, I don't push the zones here. We usually get a few days of sub-zero temps, winds up to 50mph and windchills down to -33° during the winter, along with 2' of snow and Ice. No need to prove the experts right... |
rjuddharrison
Houston, TX
(Zone 9a)
October 05, 2009
09:42 AM Post #7136708
| I push zone all the time, and am lucky with a degree or two of in town area warmth, with another degree or two of micro climate from the tree canopy of oaks and pecans. Some years there is a price to pay, but they are fewer and the tropical plants mostly recover. Still, it offers some interesting scenery sometimes, like last winter a freak snow- on the Australian tree fern. 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
tbmontserrat
Isles Bay
Montserrat
(Zone 11)
October 05, 2009
10:41 AM Post #7136925
| Being in Zone 10-11 I push the zone sometimes. Plants that need the cold just do not grow here. Most the time I don't push it because it is sooooo disappointing when something does not grow and you really want it to or worse it grows and dies because it is to hot. When a plant dies I actually go through grief period.
Tina |
steadycam3
Houston, TX
October 05, 2009
10:55 AM Post #7136976
| I use the zone as a guideline for whether to buy plants or not but I really rely on looking at other gardens in my area to see what they grow. Im new enough at this to make mistakes about plants all the time so I know the zone "might not be the problem". That said, Houston Texas August is a barrier beyond which you cannot grow. I can err to the tropical side much easier than I can grow something from a colder zone. The most reliable plants in my landscape are the xeriscape varieties. |
themoonhowl
Prairieville, LA
(Zone 9a)
October 05, 2009
11:30 AM Post #7137139
| I am with you Jeri...push the zone...the worst that will happen is the plant may not make it. I rarely buy any plant that would require a mortgage, so I am willing to experiment...grin |
jomoncon
New Orleans, LA
(Zone 9a)
October 05, 2009
11:41 AM Post #7137185
| I push both ways - higher zones & lower zones. The higher zone ones tend to go in pots so that I can put them under cover in the winter. The lower zone ones, I plant in semi-shade where they're protected from the sun, or I plant in the fall or late winter.
Jo-Ann |
DanKistner
Winter Haven, FL
(Zone 9b)
October 05, 2009
11:44 AM Post #7137200
| I am pushing my zone with about 90% of my stock. I live in Zone 9B and most of the plants I have are Zone 10 and Higher. |
mrs_colla
Marin, CA
(Zone 9b)
October 05, 2009
11:45 AM Post #7137209
| I finally gave up on Bougainvillea and Brugmansia... But I planted them every possible way for 6 years! |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
October 05, 2009
02:32 PM Post #7137806
| Although the backbone of my garden is hardy perennials, I luv to push the zonal envelop. Tina I hear you about the mourning period. I have a little memorial service at the compost pile when I lose one and I still hate to add one to the "Plants I Have Luved and Killed" list. Alot of what I 'push' is homegrown from seed, though, so my experiments are not expensive. |
twinkielee
Minden, LA
October 05, 2009
02:35 PM Post #7137814
| Looks like I have good company with the other "zone pushers" from Louisiana--jomoncon, themoonhowl, and jerri11. Sometimes the plants just don't know they're not supposed to thrive in Zone 8! |
Joan
Belfield, ND
(Zone 4a)
 October 05, 2009
02:39 PM Post #7137825
| I'm definitely a zone pusher. If I wasn't, I wouldn't have some of the neat things I do, like evergreen daylilies. Granted, I can't just plop them in the ground any old place in the yard, but right up close to the foundation on the south side of the house works wonderfully.
But I've lost my share of other plants also. |
nymegen
Auburn, NH
October 05, 2009
03:10 PM Post #7137927
| I guess I am lucky enough enough to have a section of my basement just for me. Worktable ,storage and minimal heat to store my favorite tropicals through our zone 5 winter.All my 20 different cannas ,several brugs,mirabelis ,night jessimine and even my large standard hibiscus have succesfully made it through storage and will be ready soon to go back to their winter home as it will be soon before the first frost shows up. |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
October 05, 2009
03:19 PM Post #7137962
| I luv my cold room too for storing my tenders (dahlias, callas, cannas, glads) nymegen but I like to push zone 5ers to overwinter outside. |
Tina_A
Choctaw, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 05, 2009
04:57 PM Post #7138252
| I pushed the zone constantly while living in North Dakota. Sometimes I got lucky, sometimes not. Generally though I would put the plants in containers and overwinter them in my upstairs room that had southern and western windows. I put two warm mist humidifers in there and created a tropical paradise for myself. I even managed to get a palm to flower.
Now that I live in Oklahoma, most of the plants that I have are ok here with the exception of the tropicals. We are renting so I'm unwilling to plant a whole lot in the ground. Gotta make my tropical paradise here too although I don't have the ideal setup that I did before. This time I will be relying on grow lights more since the sun exposure is much more limited here. You gotta love experimenting though. |
MarshaMLF
Chapel Hill, NC
(Zone 7a)
October 05, 2009
05:24 PM Post #7138330
| In my youth, I was a zone pusher.
Now, however, I direct all efforts
to permanence. |
tabasco
Cincinnati (Anderson, OH
(Zone 6a)
October 05, 2009
06:53 PM Post #7138597
|
This week I'm making a big space in my garage to store my lantanas, some verbenas, elephant ears, and salvias.
Always worth a try, and sometimes it works! |
randbponder
Hornick, IA
(Zone 4b)
October 05, 2009
08:12 PM Post #7138947
| I too push the zone limit.Sometimes good sometimes not so good.
This year was a not so good year for me, mostly do to the lack of care I could give.
I had an injury that kept me out of the garden for most of the summer. The weeds survived wondrously and took advantage of anything else I was trying to grow.
Well there is a next year, so I'll have to try try again. lol
Russ |
Beach_Barbie
Kure Beach, NC
(Zone 9a)
October 05, 2009
09:07 PM Post #7139209
| I don't spend a lot of money on my plants and have a greenhouse for those I really care about.
i don't push the zones a lot, but do ahve several plants that have survived when they weren't supposed to
Barb |
CapeCodGardener
Mid-Cape, MA
(Zone 7a)
October 05, 2009
09:11 PM Post #7139224
| Because I'm still relatively new to northeastern gardening (coming from coastal California) I alternate between slavish attention to the zonal rules and a certain happy-go-lucky disregard because I feel like it. That's why I have a bunch of semi-tropicals that despite their size will have to be hauled inside for over-wintering. |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
October 05, 2009
09:47 PM Post #7139386
| GO CCG GO! I am a big fan of happy go lucky  |
Riverland
Northeast, LA
(Zone 8a)
October 06, 2009
03:30 AM Post #7140161
| Push all the time both ways. Plants that prefer a cooler summer, or so many cold days to produce and those that require higher temps. |
greenbrain
Madison, IL
(Zone 6a)
October 06, 2009
07:34 AM Post #7140348
| Since I'm on the edge of zone 6 (bordering zone 5), I figure that anything hardy to zone 6 is taking a chance as it is, so I don't attempt to grown anything zone 7 or higher. I have many plants to choose from in zone 6. I refuse to move into zone 5. My parents moved to this area from zone 7 and the native plants that make them feel at home here wouldn't survive in zone 5. However, there are some native plants that I enjoy that won't grown well in zone 7. I feel like I'm in the ideal zone. |
henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
October 06, 2009
10:42 AM Post #7140791
| We push the zones and push them hard in some cases.
While Cincinnati is listed as a Zone 6b there are many micro pockets along the Ohio River, both warm and cold.
We appear to be in a warmer one.
I'd have to say we are actually 7a.
Add our urban location, fully enclosed yard, 10 tons of rock and a 25' tall Bamboo hedge on the north boundary and 2' of leaves we mulch the whole yard in and we easily winter most 7b plants we attempt.
In the front yard we have a sweet spot.
Brick walled home w/ overhang backing, south face, hedge running e-w 8' away...
we over winter EE's and Canna in the ground.
They are Zone 8b.
Late season Daffs won't grow there. They come up in early February and get frozen out most years.
The ones in the picture are 3 winters in the ground.
We also over winter 200 or so Tropicals in our GH's (new one going up as I type).
Ric
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
flowerfantasy
Washington, IN
(Zone 6a)
October 06, 2009
12:28 PM Post #7141212
| I try not to push the zones unless it is something I really really want like my Night Blooming Jasmine, EEs and Caladiums. Most of these aren't hard to over winter so I can contend with that much. Had to get rid of the Brugs though as no place to put those. |
Poetinwood
Council Hill, OK
October 06, 2009
12:42 PM Post #7141258
| I don't push anything I don't have backups for. Did I end a sentence with a preposition? |
windy126
Waupaca, WI
(Zone 4a)
October 06, 2009
02:08 PM Post #7141497
| I live in WI, zone 4 but quite often can winter over some zone 5. I find that if I don't clean up my flower bed too well I get quite a few volunteers the next year. I had a fantastic display of larkspur one year. All volunteers. Petunias, Datura, nicotiana, Verbena Bonariensis, all have come back for me. So me more than one year. I put my calla lilies in pots and after frost put then in the cellar. We have an old farmhouse and the cellar was used for storage of veggies. I water them about once during the winter and haul them out in the spring and they start growing again. Plan to do more to push the envelope in the future. |
westraad
Xai Xai
Mozambique
October 06, 2009
02:39 PM Post #7141620
| i pushed the zone all the time, but have grown tired of losing plants all the time. i also mourn the loss of plants, aunt_A. i have decided from now on i am going to stick to indigenous! :-)
Isaac |
Pillita
Keystone Heights, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 06, 2009
03:21 PM Post #7141730
| Since we don't have the time or the money for travel, if I don't try to grow it, then I will never see it and seeing it, touching it, smelling it is so much (better) than pictures.
This message was edited Oct 6, 2009 6:47 PM |
marti001
Somerset, KY
(Zone 6b)
October 06, 2009
05:33 PM Post #7142125
| No matter were I live I push the Zone envelopes. I just have to find the right spot for things in the garden. I am starting over from scratch here in Kentucky. The only thing growing on this lot is pasture grass and pokeweed. I've got the area mowed now I have to get it plowed/tilled and that I can add imrichments to the soil and start planting. It will be next spring before I can really do much, but for now I am planning and looking for plants to add to my new garden. I used to live in Kern County, Calif. The temperatures there ranged from frequent frost in the winter to 100+ degrees in the summer. I think we even hit 115 degrees for a few days last summer. And not alot of rain. I missed the rain, but am now getting it here. LOVE IT!!
Anyone with suggestions of plants for my garden please contact me.
Marti
nelsonbrody@yahoo.com |
TexasTam
Plano, TX
(Zone 8a)
October 06, 2009
06:13 PM Post #7142233
| We don't have a whole lot of wiggle room here in North Texas (Zone 8) as far as heat goes - triple digits are guaranteed every summer. We've also had fairly mild winters the past few years and I've noticed several tender perennials and tropical plants will often come back with protection and a little microclimate assistance.
It's growing cool-loving plants that's the problem. But that still didn't stop me from spending $200 on some of the more heat-tolerant ladyslipper orchids. I hope they'll do okay in a moist, deeply shaded area of my front garden...wish me luck! |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 06, 2009
07:29 PM Post #7142468
| "Nothing ventured, nothing gained." That seems to be my motto for Zone pushing. The USDA map shows the borderline of Zone 8b/9a running almost precisely through my backyard in NE Florida, so it is too warm for most spring bulbs but too cold for the tropical plants of south Florida. Only by trying plants not rated for my Zone have I been able to locate the warm microclimates in my garden -- some of which allow me to grow Zone 10 plants outdoors with little winter damage. It is always a gamble trying to decide if a plant will survive the freezes in winter or be burned up or wilted by the incessant heat and humidity of summer. If I really value a plant, I will divide it when I buy it and put half in the ground and keep half of it in a pot where I can better control its growing conditions. If it survives both winter and summer in the ground, I can then feel confident about using it as a landscape plant.
Jeremy |
dalmatian_fan87
Cascade, VA
(Zone 7a)
October 06, 2009
07:51 PM Post #7142547
| I do push SOME plants...but only if they werent that expensive...and also only if they could be wintered inside--in case they couldnt stand my zone 7a. For example, my purple oxalis...i have seen where some say that it couldnt make it here, where others say it will do fine. But thats ok, i keep mine as a potted house plant during winter! And then i let it go dormant a couple of months before setting it out in the spring warmth. |
dobra1629
Houma, LA
October 06, 2009
07:53 PM Post #7142552
| I push to higher but not lower. I have warmer micro climates but can't cool down.
Dorothy |
irisMA
South Hamilton, MA
October 07, 2009
10:21 AM Post #7144195
| Usually I don't push the zone. It is getting more difficult to find dormant DL so have a couple semi-evergreen ones. They certainly look horrid in the spring, but some come back. Our irises especially the tall bearded ones are not marked with a zone, but get to know which plants will like New England & which will not. I don't like to spend garden space on those which will be unhappy. |
hummer_girl
Saint Louis, MO
(Zone 6a)
October 07, 2009
06:18 PM Post #7145677
| I plant to attract hummingbirds. A large percentage of the plants I want in my flower beds for my hummers are considered more tropical. I push the zones every year for my hummers. The old zone maps put me in 5b; the new zone maps list me as 6a. I've had luck with zone 7 perennials (mulched for winter) coming back each year. Anything I buy labelled zone 8 should be overwintered in the garage, but if the winter isn't too bad, if the mulching is deep enough, if the temps don't drop too low...maybe I'll be lucky--and I'll take cuttings just in case we have a hard winter, so my hummers will have their favoirte plants next year. |
zhinu
(Laura) Olympia, WA
(Zone 8a)
October 07, 2009
07:36 PM Post #7145945
| I'm more likely to try to grow a full-sun plant in the shade, but I'm willing to give things a try. |
Dyson
Rocky Mount, VA
(Zone 7a)
October 07, 2009
07:59 PM Post #7146060
| It does not seem to matter what zone I am in or or how well suited the plant is to it. I can figure out a way to accidentally kill it. |
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA
(Zone 10a)
October 07, 2009
08:34 PM Post #7146180
| I have learned in what areas I can try to push and which ones to forget about it. The most curious zone pushers I have are the Darwin hybrid tulips. They're supposed to be a zone 7 or 8 and colder plant, but I've had them rebloom two years in a row. Hyacinths are not supposed to naturalize here, but they have. They're under the citrus trees, of all things, so it's not like they're in some weird little freaky mini-microclimate. What will not survive for me are things that cannot take the summer heat or that need humidity. |
chuck7701
McKinney, TX
(Zone 8a)
October 08, 2009
12:46 AM Post #7146899
| I have not given up all hope of trying to push the zone in my area. However, we usually get at least 1-3 severe freezes or ice storms each year that lasts for 2-3 days.
This usually takes out any fence sitting zone plants. I've lost too many nice or expensive plants to push too much against the zone advice anymore.
Chuck
|
QuoiMerrie
Bay Village, OH
October 08, 2009
08:59 AM Post #7147509
| Ohio weather is changable. Next year count on it being completely different. Everyone has tall tales here about the worst winter (no no...that one in 83 was much worse..etc)
I push zones all the time. And my results are as erratic as the weather. Personally I love it...adds spice to the plan. Little bit like gambling...I just don't bet more than I can afford to lose. |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 08, 2009
09:22 AM Post #7147580
| hummer_girl: To attract hummingbirds in your area, you may want to grow Small Orange Morning Glory, Ipomoea coccinea http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/51759/. You could grow it as an annual -- plant the seeds about a month before the date of your expected last frost, then transplant it outside to grow on a trellis. It grows to flowering size fairly quickly and should flower at about the time the hummers would be returning to your area. I've found it to be very attractive to hummingbirds. It self-seeds here and can be a bit of a nuisance in spreading all over my garden, but I let much of it go because it does bring in the hummingbirds. The other small red-flowering morning glories (Cypress Vine. Ipomoea quamaclit http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/93/ , and Scarlet Morning Glory, Ipomoea hederifolia http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/58095/ ) have similar growing conditions and will also attract hummingbirds. You could interplant them in a large pot and let them grow on the same trellis. Once you get them started, you can collect seeds each year for next year's plants.
Kelli - Your info on the Darwin Tulips growing in your climate is very intriguing! I will have to try them here to see if they might perform in my 8b winter climate/9a summer. As you have done, I've also been able to get Hyacinths to return from year to year, but they are one of the few spring bulbs that will grow here.
Jeremy |
treelover3
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4a)
October 08, 2009
10:58 AM Post #7147849
| I love pushing zones.
Technically, I am considered zone 4a, but I have a few zone 5 trees that are doing very well in my zone 4a garden.
I have 3 different Metasequoia glyptostroboides: the straight species for 10+ years, 'Ogon' for 5 years and 'Miss Grace' for 3 years. I also have Stewartia pseudocamellia (8 years); Acer palmatum Robinson's Red (6 years); Fagus sylvatica 'Asplenifolia' (3 years) and Pinus parviflora 'Tanima No Uki' for 6 years. I have seen 'Tanima No Uki' consistently listed as a zone 6 plant.
Mike
|
seray53
Richmond Hill, GA
October 08, 2009
11:28 AM Post #7147942
| Confessed zone pusher. You can always tell if you're one. At the last minute you rush to haul the 100 lb pot inside just in case. I try to hedge my expensive bets. LOL |
hummer_girl
Saint Louis, MO
(Zone 6a)
October 08, 2009
05:54 PM Post #7149072
| Jeremy: I have every Ipomoea seed known to man to attract hummers. I do mix them up in large terracotta planters with trellises and let them go wild. The hummers love the flowers, and I collect seeds for the next season. But I appreciate you passing along a tip, because you never know when someone will know about a hummer friendly flower you don't. Then the rush is on to find the plant or seed. Thanks! |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 09, 2009
01:31 AM Post #7150288
| I sort of thought you would probably already be aware of the hummer attractive small morning glories, but I am prone to providing far too much information on topics I know little about. LOL As you said, someone may benefit from the tips.
How about Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/62372/ )? I had that beauty for a while but it died out and I haven't yet been able to replace it.
(now back to Zone pushing talk and I will stop hijacking).
Jeremy |
village1diot
Vacaville, CA
(Zone 9b)
October 09, 2009
08:14 AM Post #7150620
| Take any info from the internet with a grain of salt. The only way to know if it is true is to test it yourself, so why bother with the internet info in the first place. And I rarely listen to internet "experts". For all I know it is some 13 year old kid or some lunatic who gets off on screwing with people.
As far as zone recommendations from seed companies or sellers go, I don't trust them either. I am not sure where they get their info, but I am positive "they" didn't go to every zone and try to grow it. As far as I'm concerned, they have no idea what they put on the package or web page.
If you really want a plant, you can find a way to grow it most of the time.
Grow it, if it fails, take note and try again. |
hummer_girl
Saint Louis, MO
(Zone 6a)
October 09, 2009
11:55 AM Post #7151414
| Jeremy: Ipomopsis rubra, got it! The plant is supposed to be a perennial in my zone, but like village1diot, I don't trust that info. I grow it each year as an annual and collect seeds. |
Kelli
L.A. (Canoga Park), CA
(Zone 10a)
October 09, 2009
06:17 PM Post #7152657
| Village1diot, it seems to me that plant zones were developed for "normal" climates - zones 5-8 east of the Mississippi - places with a winter dormant season and year round precipitation. If you are not familiar with Sunset zones, check this web site. http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/ |
dahlianut
Calgary, AB
(Zone 3a)
October 09, 2009
06:28 PM Post #7152681
| Sunset zones don't work for me but Kelli raises a great point. They do work better than traditional horticultural zones for others. |
mothermole
Deer Park, IL
(Zone 5b)
October 09, 2009
11:57 PM Post #7153703
| I live in a suburb of Chicago (zone 5a) and there isn't much hope in trying to push zone here. Even "zonal correct" plants die because of freaky arctic weather one day and balmy warm weather the next. If it isn't hardy forget about it! |
Machikoneko
Hometown, IL
(Zone 5a)
October 10, 2009
09:26 AM Post #7154292
| Amen, Mothermole. I've lost too many plants who were supposed to live in 5a, but died from our wonderful constantly changing temps. Especially after the charming weather we were treated to this last winter... |
dixiegril
Jesup, GA
October 10, 2009
11:48 AM Post #7154684
| We do live in the deep south. I will push the zone though. Some times ya win some times ya lose. |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 10, 2009
03:11 PM Post #7155268
| The source of what I find to be the most reliable information about whether a plant will grow in my area or not is found here on DG -- the Zip Code reports that are available on each Plant Files page. Regardless what the plant nurseries and catalogs provide for hardiness information, I can take a quick glance to see if anyone in my geographic area has reported they have had success with the plant. I can be fairly assured that the plant will perform well for me if someone in my area is growing it, or if there are Zip Code reports from DGers north and south of me. I rarely buy a new plant without first hecking the Plant Files page to see what the Zip Code reports indicate.
This sharing of "eyewitness" information is a good reason we should all try to provide Zip Code reports whenever we have confirmed that a plant is hardy and happy in our Zones. It takes only a few seconds to click on the link near the bottom of each Plant Files page to indicate you have had success with the plant.
Jeremy |
Annette_M
New Waverly, TX
(Zone 8b)
October 10, 2009
05:53 PM Post #7155659
| I need the 12 step program! |
henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
October 10, 2009
10:24 PM Post #7156585
| Excellent advice Jeremy.
I'll add put in comments, good or bad, as this is always a good training tool and can save someone a lot of headache.
Sometimes plants extremely invasive for Jeremy or other warm areas are very well behaved up here to the north.
These are facts you won't see on the plant tag or company sites. |
wort7759
Cobleskill, NY
October 11, 2009
11:18 PM Post #7159847
| I usually only push one zone warmer than mine. I'm in zone 5 and now in town so it is a hair warmer. I find micro-climates all over the property such as offers protection from wind, guaranteed snow cover...if we have snow. This year I'm trying a basjoo banana. They are supposed to be a zone 5 banana. Not really pushing a zone, but while planting it, my brain kept screaming: Don't do it! It's a banana, they're tropical! Funny how living in the northeast has me programmed. I have been known to shovel snow on zone 6 plants to make a deeper cover. I am successful perhaps 75% of the time with the zone pushing. Depends on the winter and the spot I chose for it. Still worth while though. It's the thrill of success that keeps me doing it. |
JaxFlaGardener
Jacksonville, FL
(Zone 8b)
October 12, 2009
01:24 PM Post #7161564
| wort - you can wrap your banana for the winter and it will have an even better chance of surviving. I would recommend cloth rather than plastic (plastic will trap too much moisture and encourage fungi and rot). Burlap would be great if you can find it at a fabric store, or find some other fairly heavy weight fabric that can still "breathe." You can cut off the banana leaves to make it easier to wrap. The banana will be dormant in winter and won't be photosynthesizing, so it doesn't need the leaves and they will regrow from the stalk in the spring. Though you can wrap the leaves, too, if you want to try to preserve them. Wrap a few layers of fabric around the banana with the heaviest concentration of fabric at the base, and continue to spiral wrap the fabric up to the top of the stalk. You can add some layers of newspaper or other paper between the layers of the fabric for a little extra warmth and to hold in some moisture. Tie up the spiral wrap with string or wire. If your neighbors think your wrapped banana stalk is ugly, add some Christmas lights and call it a Charlie Brown Christmas tree. LOL Otherwise, without protection, your Musa basjoo will probably die back to the ground. You will get new banana "pups" coming up from the root crown next spring. Maintaining the entire stalk from year to year may provide a better chance of actually getting banana fruit.
Hi, Henry! Good to see you post! Your EEs from our swap are still going strong. The purple stemmed ones have multiplied so much that I may need to open an elephant ear store. LOL
Here's a method of banana plant wrapping that is a bit more complex: http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/bananas-wrap/
Here's a method that uses a sort of straw bin: http://gardenofeaden.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-protect-and...
Googling around a bit, I see some sites recommend bubble wrap but I wouldn't put that adjacent to the banana stalk but somewhere between one of the layers of fabric. Also, for the coldest climates, it looks like the straw bin method above is the one that would provide the best results.
Jeremy
This message was edited Oct 12, 2009 1:31 PM |
henryr10
Cincinnati, OH
(Zone 6b)
October 12, 2009
09:10 PM Post #7163082
| Hey Jeremy!
Glad to hear that!
I have them in Arkansas and Utah now! LOL!
wort we have about a fool proof method for the wintering of M. basjoo.
Works well w/ EE's and Canna too.
I'll DMAIL you.
Ric |
Tina_A
Choctaw, OK
(Zone 7a)
October 13, 2009
07:30 AM Post #7164046
| Henryr10,
Will you DMAIL me too? I have some EE's that I need to overwinter. Thanks Tina |
maryw28
Grand Forks, ND
October 27, 2009
12:41 PM Post #7213715
| I live in zone USDA zone 4 and try plants not zoned for our area and find sucess and failure. My best sucess is with crambe cordiofilia. The crambe is the tall white baby-breath-like plant up against the fence. Another favorite is verbascum chaixii and v. phoenicieum cultivars, and in fact, the verbascums also self -seed freely.
This message was edited Oct 27, 2009 2:11 PM
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evelyn_inthegarden
Grizzly Flats, CA
October 29, 2009
11:24 PM Post #7222665
| I cannot imagine anyone here who is not...a "zone pusher". What's the fun if you have plants that everyone else grows??
I did grow up in SoCal, where most gardens, public and private are so boring...oleanders, palm trees...etc. Every now and then, someone has a bit of imagination. I am not thinking of "pink flamingoes", but really good garden sense, and uses it to their advantage.
Here in Northern California things are different. Most people do not have the time to devote to gardens. Still, there are some that have really outstanding gardens. I wish I could say the same for me, as most of the time I was working full time with odd hours, so I would water before and/or after work and try and get weeding done, but it never was. Now, I am attempting, slowly, to get things in order. It isn't here that needs a "zone pusher", but a "gardening pusher"... |
bonehead
Pacific NW, WA
(Zone 8a)
November 12, 2009
06:32 PM Post #7268171
| Zones are not part of my world. I live in the temperate Pacific NW, and I don't purchase plants on-line or start from seed. If it's in a local nursery, it'll grow here. I also tend toward natives. |
