I would love some rhododendrons and camellia, but I don't have acidic soil. I have read that it is a real pain to maintain it if you don't have acidic soil. Is this true?
"what-can-I-grow-in-my-zone"
Thanks Brian, that is the plant I was looking at! I really love the full sized one, I put it on my 'wish list' right away :)
Robyn, know what you mean about the Camelia :) I would love one myself!
Steven
Yes Weedsfree, rhodos, azaleas and camellias love acid. Hence they'd flourish when grown alongside pine trees.
Jaye you're so good. Thanks for a suggestion on location.
Don't kill for a camellia Robin. I'll try rooting some for ya!
Thank you Jaye, I heard it was hard to do that.
Go take a nap and I miss out on flower conversation! ♥
Here is one I hope to have soon!
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1759/
I have the Arum , but have yet to see any flowers on them? :)Anita
Oh I just love it for the foliage, but flowers would be a great extra! But the hardiness on that is another thing that really caught my eye.
Chilopsis linearis, desert willow, http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/265/ is being grown in Denver, zone 5A, in a dry sheltered location. This tree has scented orchid-like blooms. Plantfiles says zone 8A, but many of the reports down below are from 7A or even colder, National Arbor Day Foundation and Texas University say 7A, so I would say the PF is incorrect.
I am thinking about adding this if/when I clear some space currently occupied by a blue spruce.
-Joe
Just like you Tammy to want a Cuckoo.
Cuckoo for us Cuckoo's, right?! HA HA HA
I would love to have that tree, Joe, if I had room!
This list has many common plants, but it is also loaded with very interesting plants as well. A Hardy Begonia? Yep we do have 1 for zone 5:)Anita
http://www.sunfarm.com/plantlist/plantlist.phtml
Thanks, Anita! My friend has some Begonia that comes back every year, and she always gives me some, and I always manage to kill it! sigh
The Acanthus group is really tropical looking as well. Some of the newer hybrids are tougher than the species. I believe this is Acanthus spinosa in MOBOT zone6 I have seen some forms get 6 feet tall.
Brian,
I have that one, Mine looks no way as nice as yours, but it will grow in zone 5 too.I need to move a few things away from it this year, I was told it would NOT grow here, I have had it for 3 years now:)Anita
I sure wish I could read with my eyes closed! HA HA HA
Seeing all these pictures and thinking I need every single one of them!!!
Chilopsis linearis, desert willow - grown as street trees in Phoenix, AZ. I love this tree.
However, the lady I bought mine from is in NM at 10,000 elevation -- has to be at least a zone 6 there. She grows them from seeds and sells them. She told me that they grow all over town there. Having said that, I guess I'll be buying more from her as I think I bumped mine off. LOL
Karen
here i am. so what are we doing? are we giving you a list of what we can grow outside in each of our zones? cause if we are i like it already.
Hey there miss ornery! smile
We are trying to give everyone an idea of what plants are hardy for colder climates. Say something is said to only be hardy to zone 8, but I live in zone 6 and I am able to keep it going year after year, then I would tell everyone, hey, I have a Brugmansia that over winters here and does just fine. ALL input is greatly appreciated!!
Speaking of Brugmansia I have had one over winter here for 4 years. I mulch it high each year cut it to a nub. Each spring it grows and usually flowers right at the end of summer. I believe lots of protection and good drainage is the key for over wintering it.
While I am here I will put a pic of some I crossed and grew from seed.
I like that yellow/orange one, what are the crosses that got that one.
I have to get me an orange one.
WOW Brian, those are amazingly beautiful! I was sitting here saying, Golly, look at those Brug flowers!!!
Hey Sis, feeling better I hope?
I like the idea of this thread -- it is great to get advice on growing plants with a tropical feel up north. Great idea for a forum.
Thanks, Happy! I am pleased with it as well, although it would still be great to have some sort of Forum for it!
Brian, are brug blooms usually so large???? Those are AWESOME!
Ok everyone, I want to make sure this is noticed by the person who sent it to me!!!
I am not going to say who because she knows who she is!!! But I want you all to know that I just got a package in the mail and it is a book called:
Hot Plants for Cool Climates
I want her to know she brought tears to my eyes for sending this to me, but it is wonderful, happy tears!!!!! You are the sweetest thing ever my dear!!!!
Hello all! Fantastic idea, this thread. Like many others, the Tropical forum did not answer all my questions. I am one of those in the chilly 7a who love tropical plants. I will be lurking about, picking up info and compiling a list. Right now, I am most interested in hardy bananas and ee's. But, I am sure I can get more ideas from all of you, right?
Jax
Hey, I have a book I can look stuff up in now!!!!! WEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAA
(yes girls, you can take the points!)
Jax,
Yes! I want some of those, too.
As soon as spring gets here -- it is coming; right? -- I'll let everyone know what did fine and what didn't. I am seeing that some stuff is probably not okay although it should be and others that shouldn't be okay are coming through like champs.
Karen
Here's the link to the hardy begonia in the PlantFiles http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/722/
I've also sucessfully grow Carex comans with no extra winter protection
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/90988/
The whole plant once got coated in ice during a winter storm and came through just fine.
Steven
Purple pennisetums do nice in 8b! And so does Exochorda eximia.....
Hey Tuink!!!!
well hey there all you status quo rockers! what a ton of wonderful information! I am putting in a xeri bed outfront thanks to Tropicans inspiration....she is full of good ideas!I would like to incorporate some "zone pushing" out there but worry about it being non protected since it's out in the front..any thoughts anyone? The bed is pretty large and I am open to ideas....thanks! The first pic is from a distance so you can garner the width of it (yes it is going to be connecting two other beds when all is said and done..)
WOW Red, I am envious! That is huge!!!!
Hello all!!!
I'm "coming out" from lurking Tammy!!! Thank you for getting this thread started for us zone-pushers/tropical wannabes :)
I started some 4:00's/Mirabilis jalapa from seeds over 5 years ago, have never had to dig the root tubers up or reseed, and it comes back each year from the root. Also have prickly pear/opuntia humifusa growing in my garden for 4 years.
I'll be back...Jan
edited to say: AuntB, you're SILLY!!! Ok, I'll put on a grass skirt and coconut bra AFTER you do...NOT!!!!!!!!!
Another edit: I also have hardy hibiscus in my garden and actually have had people going by my garden asking what I'm growing and they're speechless when I tell them it's hardy :)
This message was edited Feb 27, 2008 12:53 PM
I started planting one side of the bed...it has an ilex, 6 yuccas, liatris bulbs and some salvia in it...I still have about 8 more saliva to put in it and some lavender, russian sage etc...but would like to continue a nice "bone" structure from the middle to back going across of some tropicals ( I already have a brug bed and two canna beds) so please feel free to shout out some suggestions
Hey Jan, nice to have you out of lurking!!! smile
Red, I am sure someone with more knowledge than myself will be along to help you with ideas!
Red, I like http://www.highcountrygardens.com/ for a decent selection of xeriscaping plants. For cactus lovers, a zone 5 hardy claret cup is an amazing thing. They have zone 5 tested agaves, all kinds of neat stuff. :)
-Joe