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Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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Posted by candyinpok 5a ny (My Page) on Tue, Jul 19, 05 at 15:03
| I'm new to perennial selection. So I decided cotoneaster, deer resistent, would be a good low-growning shrub. Went to the garden center and saw willowleaf and loved it. However, turns out it's zone 6 not zone 5 like other varieties. Can I keep this plant alive now that its in and looking nice?
Any help appreciated
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Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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| It depends on the winter and where you planted it. If it's in a sheltered spot, it may even be a zone 6 microclimate. If it's out in the open, subject to winter winds, you might surround it with burlap attached to stakes. I've heard of putting dry autumn leaves inside the burlap for protection, but that might invite chewing rodents to hibernate. My attitude is, if it lives, great, it can stay. If it dies, throw it out and buy something else. Lessons learned. Save the receipt for a refund. Good luck. |
RE: Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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| It depends - not a satisfactory answer I know. I grow some zone 6 plants (ornithagalum nutans) with no problems but when I tried dwaf honeysuckle, it bit the dust the first winter even though it was in a protected spot and I covered it up. A lot of times the zone ratings are wrong. The way to find out is to try it. |
RE: Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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| Thank you to Susanzone5 and Oldroser. I did so much research and then to find out I'm still foiled by impulse. But what do you mean by protected spot? This plant is on a southern (SSE) exposure and within 5 feet of my front porch. All the shrubs around it were also added this year. The rest are zone 5, one zone 4 minimums, so I presume they're okay. Thanks again for answering. |
RE: Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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| I consider the south side of a building a protected spot - and notice that when I planted crocosmia, the ones in that location survived longest. Also the west side is better than the east because the sun gets there later in the day and doesn't hit frosted plants the first thing in the morning. Moreover, the lower level of my garden gets frost a week or so earlier in the fall. After you've gardened for a while, you'll recognize the microclimates you have. |
RE: Zone 6 shrub in zone 5a
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| Oldroser. Thanks. There's so much more to this than I knew about. So much to learn. At least the shrub is on the south side of the house. |
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