Trees, Shrubs and Conifers: Help Me Make A Tropical Zone 5, 0 by plantaholic186

plantaholic186 wrote:
You might like Viburnum rhytidiphyllum- it has a vaguely tropical feel to it. It looks a little sad here just north of Chicago, but does very well.

Paulownia is great! I'm trying to overwinter two twigs. I got one from Forest Farm that got broken in two the day after unpacking, and promptly shot out new leaves.

Alstromeria psittacina 'Variegata' and 'Freedom' are both rated z5. They've spent the summer happily growing in a flowerbed and are now heavily mulched, so we'll see if they make it.

I found Agapanthus 'Hardy Blue' at a local nursery, again rated for z5.

Nelumbo nucifera is definitely hardy here! If you leave it outside, just be sure to sink it 3' below the top of the water.

Arisaemas are spectacular, my fave is A. sikokianum: