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

plantladylin wrote:
Hi HollyAnn,

What area of Florida does your father in law live? I hope he is doing better, it's difficult when our parents age and begin having health issues. I bet he appreciates your help working in the yard when you visit! Gee, the older I get the more I dislike working out in the heat of summer here in Florida, especially when the temp is 90+ with humidity to match! This past winter was one for the record books around the country and many folks don't wish to see another one like it, especially here in the south ... we just aren't used to such cold for so long. It will take years for many gardens to recover. I have a huge Schefflera actinophylla in my backyard that I planted too close to the pool deck years ago and I was hoping the freezes would kill it completely. I really thought it was dead and my husband took his chain saw and cut it back as far as he could ... and it's growing back again! Geesh, some things down here you just can't get rid of! The Philodendron bipinnatifidum's/"Tree Philo's" in my side yard were covered in ice a few times this past winter. They always turn to mush when it gets cold but they always re-sprout in spring ... I love the Tree Philodendrons!