Tropicals & Tender Perennials: How many cold climate people have a lot of tropical plants?, 1 by bwilliams

bwilliams wrote:
Roxanne many people have the misconception that plants will die if they freeze this is not entirely true. Many plants have a built in antifreeze in side of them and many plants can be found from Florida all the way to Canada growing on rocks and waterfalls in very extreme conditions. The problem I find is that many of these unique plants are suited to these micro-climates and many are not easily found in the nursery trade. Once you have this odd micro environment built you can duplicate it's natural look in the garden. I picked up small patches of mosses and other plants from similar environments to grow on the wall. As well as did some research as to other plants from around the world that would like this situation. It was interesting to find that Hosta's can be found growing this way in parts of Asia as well as day-lilies and irises. Huechera's are found native here in Kentucky growing around rock waterfalls as are many ferns. It is a bit surprising to find so many plants can handle this situation and how different they look growing vertically compared to the ground.


Here is a picture I have of a native rock covered in multiple plants here in Kentucky.