Tropicals & Tender Perennials: "what-can-I-grow-in-my-zone", 0 by bwilliams

bwilliams wrote:
Well Red in your zone most all colocasias are ok to grow to its best to pic out the nicest forms rather than go spreading weedy green forms. The bananas you have a bit of choices their as well. You could probably even get a few ensetes to over winter if you mulch them up well. Basjoo is a must. Their is a list I put up top this forum that shows most of the really hardy forms. The cannas are the same way. I find it's always best to go with the better performing plants. You maybe able to get the tall red flowering canna cheep possibly free but their are others out their that just out do it all around. My advice would be draw your lay out on paper list the areas that are shade sun and so on. Also list any areas you would like to look like a desert. The best part of the desert garden is you can throw them far out by the road or away from your original garden and they will do well with little care so finding a spot for them now or in the future is fairly easy if you have the land. Then I would suggest doing some research on the plants you like. Some bananas get large 20 feet plus while their are others that stay miniature same with the colocasias. Pick out your favorite. Once you have the plants I usually like to take them while in the pots and set them around to get a feel of what the landscape will look like. It's good to have a idea of what sizes they will grow to. I wrote about this on another forum and will see about copying it and adding it here. Over all it's fairly easy if you do mess up next year just dig the plant up and move it. Most of the plants are fairly tough and can be moved easily.