Curious as to what kind of ferns were those you lost? How long had you had them? And were they a short-lived variety? Ferns are a favorite of mine.

Sorry I don't have experience on your 2 plants from my gardening days in zones 22 & 24. Hope somebody does.

blechnum gibbum 'Silver Lady' which I just love. It was planted in the spring two years ago. That winter we had a run of temps I'm the high 20's for about 4 days during the night that devastated a lot of our more tender plants here in N. San Diego county beach area. Lost mangoes, papayas and a couple of young citrus trees. I will cover this blechnum this winter if we get another freeze.

Patty S.

Thank you.

Whoa, high 20's. We've been cold enuf to freeze established hibiscus roots. Rare.

I tried those Curcuma from HD one year. They died a quick death. I have no doubt you will have better results.

They can be left in the ground overwinter in the deep south, with mulch, but are best adapted to dry winter/early warm spring climates. I've not had luck getting them to grown again a second year here in the SF Bay Area, and treat them as annual color. Now Blechnum gibbum, on the other hand, thrives for me, and should do equally well if well irrigated in Sunset zones 23/24, and more inland if protected from hot drying winds and freezing.The Rhoeo doesn't do well year round for me outdoors, we're just too cool here in summer and winter, but again, this does well in the deep south, even with occasional freezes.

Bahia, I was hoping you'd weigh in on this topic. Guess we'll see how both the Curcuma and Rheo do for me. Sure loved them in Hawaii, but, don't really have a Hawaiian climate here in N. San Diego county. Close I suppose, but certainly not the same.

Patty S.

Those are probably gonna be be better as container plants sheltered from winter rains. Again, I have no doubt the Rhoeo would like a sheltered spot up against buildings with rain protection and winter sun, or a semi enclosed porch to keep it just a bit warmer in winter. I can summer the Rhoeo outdoors, but can't seem to keep the golden color on cultivars like Sitara's Gold. The pink variegated Rhoeo does better for me outside.

Those are probably gonna be be better as container plants sheltered from winter rains. Again, I have no doubt the Rhoeo would like a sheltered spot up against buildings with rain protection and winter sun, or a semi enclosed porch to keep it just a bit warmer in winter. I can summer the Rhoeo outdoors, but can't seem to keep the golden color on cultivars like Sitara's Gold. The pink variegated Rhoeo does better for me outside.

Those are probably gonna be be better as container plants sheltered from winter rains. Again, I have no doubt the Rhoeo would like a sheltered spot up against buildings with rain protection and winter sun, or a semi enclosed porch to keep it just a bit warmer in winter. I can summer the Rhoeo outdoors, but can't seem to keep the golden color on cultivars like Sitara's Gold. The pink variegated Rhoeo does better for me outside.

Those are probably gonna be be better as container plants sheltered from winter rains. Again, I have no doubt the Rhoeo would like a sheltered spot up against buildings with rain protection and winter sun, or a semi enclosed porch to keep it just a bit warmer in winter. I can summer the Rhoeo outdoors, but can't seem to keep the golden color on cultivars like Sitara's Gold. The pink variegated Rhoeo does better for me outside.

The Rheo is the pink variegated variety, so hopefully it will overwinter for me. Just a little worried about the moisture level, as it's in a somewhat damper area in my jungle garden. If they look peaked, I'll pull them out and move then to a drier area probably up against the crib wall, and put in Heucheras in their place. Not the look I'm after, but a decent alternative. Thanks, bahia, appreciate your expertise!

Patty S.