Admit it - who's a zone pusher?

Correct! No failure allowed. Even those dang roses ... hmph.

Bamboo ... be careful it doesn't invade anything ... bamboo and wisteria, fringe trees ... all the asian climbers and spreaders worry me.

I just put up the xmas tree. we have a frasier fir. is that a zone 6er?

Hello Everyone
I'm new to DG but want to be a zone pusher too! I'm in zone 5 and really want to try gunnera but it's zoned only to 7 I believe. If it survived it would get to big to place near the foundation. Any ideas to give it a fighting chance? We're close to Lake Michigan and get some pretty high winds but have snow cover most of the winter. Thanks, Helen

How exciting, based on how many plants I've sent to plant heaven I'm in the "ultimate gardener" class. I can't wait to tell my husband. I have mounds of plant stakes from plants I've sent to plant heaven and he has always wondered why I kept them. Now I can tell him that I keep them to prove that I am a real gardener.

Zone pushing... hmmm, not so much any more. It became far too costly to keep playing that game. I have identified a few microclimates on my property and have some "wiggle room" in those areas for gift plants but not much.

Say soapwort243, bamboo can be very successful where you garden. That might not be one you'd want to experiment with.

Equilibrium,
What do you mean? That it -(the bamboo) could spread too much? If it was in the right spot-that might be good.

Bamboo another thug! Actually tougher than MGs ever thought about being. Try digging the fraz out of your septic system. Lots of fun, that was. Combined forces with the new neighbors who bought the house, they were less than pleased it was breaking thru their foundation. It still took us 3 years to get rid of it. If your going to grow it, do contain it.

uh oh-- maybe not a good idea-- Thanks for the tips.

With global warming (or whatever is going on), the National Arbor Day Foundation published a new Plant Hardiness Zone map in 2006. It's "good news" for many as a major part of the country has been upped at least one full hardiness zone! Check out your location at [HYPERLINK@www.arborday.org] Very interesting! The word is that the USDA is doing the same sometime "in the future". This could be very encouraging to all of us Zone Pushers!

That's very interesting, jfchapin. And something to keep in mind when planting this year. I'm supposedly in zone 7b, but my micro climate is better suited to 8.

SOME bamboos are clumping, and will never run or become invasive. I have a really nice, graceful CLUMP of Fargesia nitida (Fountain Bamboo). It's perfectly hardy into Zone 4, getting larger (in width, NO runners) every year. After 4 years, it's now about 8' tall, and should get taller each year, up to about 12' or so. Also, there's another hardy (Zone 4) variety of non-running bamboo, Fargesia murialiae (Umbrella Bamboo) that grows to15'. Both these varieties will slowly spread (not run) into clumps many feet in circumference, but never become invasive and do not need barriers. There are other clumping varieties such as Fargesia robusta (Zone 5b) and Fargesia rufa (Zone 5) that would be welcome additions to any garden. The only bad thing about these bamboos are that they can be expensive (usually starting at $30 for a one gallon pot). They are worth it though. Check Klehn's Song Sparrow nursery at www.songsparrow.com for good info and pictures. There are other sources on-line and occasionally at local nurseries.

jfchapin - the new map says I'm a zone 6 now. I'll believe it when I see it. We're very close to Lake Michigan and supposed to be in a micro climate. It's not true on our piece of land. Thanks for the update. Helen

see posts below! I actually had calla lillies survive in the ground here for two years. small sheltered area i guess.

This message was edited Feb 6, 2008 4:50 PM

forgive the mess ups lol. see post below.

This message was edited Feb 6, 2008 4:48 PM

eek super post challenged here. definitely a zone pusher too!

I hear you lavender4ever. I'm a member of the non-techie class of peoples. I also push the zonal envelop

Calla lillies??? wow. I have snap dragons that are going on year 3. Really, not a joke. I planted them as annual "fill the gaps" and they are still there. go figure. I bet that new map has some truth to it.

I've got snap dragons going on 5 years at least. I'd like to move them to a better home but I'm afraid of losing them. Any opinions? Helen

I have "perennial" snaps. I grew them from seed that a friend gave me and they come back every year which is unheard of in my zone. I moved them in the spring hissunny and lost about 50%.

I have dwarf snaps that keep on truckin here and a dusty miller that came back and flowered. My callas are planted close to a sidewalk so I wonder if the solar action on the sidewalk helps.

dahlianut
I got my snaps the same way and my friend is gone now; I'd hate to lose even one. Maybe I'll leave them where they are. Thanks, Helen

I hear you hissunny. I was quite disappointed but I still have them in three spots and they are self seeding too so hopefully they will fill out again. Mine are a wonderful mix of deep burgandy, coral, hot pink and a yellow with pink blush. I truly believe that plants are at least 1 zone hardier when started from seed in your own environment which may be why this happened. I do throw a shovelful of compost on the base of them in November now though just because shhhhhhhh they aren't supposed to return here.

Unfortunately, I didn't have a spot ready for the snaps and just stuck them in an open spot. They are by the back garage door and really out of place. I may try moving one when it's still mostly domant. H

I've been tempted several times to buy plants rated for zone 6 and above, but I've always chickened out. I feel like I lost a family member whenever one of my plants dies!! Why torture myself ;o)

Pegdog - your water lily picture is beautiful!!

lol, oh thanks - I cheated, just like i do with pushing the zone! It's a picture from my computer that came with the software. wish it were mine. :)

So, i only lost 2 zone 7+ roses that I know of in my zone 6 area. that's not bad. I still have sage growing too - it was supposed to be an annual below zone 8.