Canadian Gardening: what parts of canada are most like growing zone 7 in U.S.?, 1 by r3sb

r3sb wrote:
Hey Canadians.

We're probably moving to CA in the next couple years. We can pretty much locate anywhere -- though I know BC is reputed to be very costly -- and I'd like to live where I can grow many of the plants I'm used to growing here on the East coast at Washington, D.C.

But where to begin to figure that out? I'm in zone 7 here. I saw a CA map showing a zone 7, and decided it couldn't be the same zone system we use here in the U.S. because Ontario gets a lot colder winters than DC.

Last fall I toured Ontario looking at places I might like to live. I want to live in Algonquin Park! LOL. But since that's pretty much a reserve, maybe some place LIKE that...rocky, beautiful, not overpopulous, maybe mountainous, with hemlocks and oaks and wild blueberries like the mountains here at home.

Didn't see a whole lot of azaleas in ON...and no rhododendrons...DC is an azalea capital. But I know I can grow bulbs and perennials from daffodils to daylilies....iris? peonies? poppies? sweet bay magnolia? korean spice viburnum?

How to find out? And what plants do I have to expect to give up?

Robert Riddle
(picture of a corner of my garden)