I have an accidental avocado tree growing outside (not in a pot) that has so far survived 4 winters in zone 6 and is now 7 feet high. I don't expect it to fruit, and I am very surprised every year when it leafs out. It is in a protected area right next to my house on the west, and just past it is an old fashioned well structure of the wishing well type but it is a real well with real water in the bottom. This house is of stone, built in 1925 and the walls at the bottom are close to 2 feet thick. The ground to the south falls away steeply, so cold air does not pool in this area. All of that probably has a lot to do with the survival of the tree. It has gotten down to zero F in the last couple of winters but that hasn't happened often or lasted more than one night. I have not done anything to protect this tree such as wrapping it. One of these winters the temperature will go down far enough that the tree won't make it. But, at this point it's an interesting anomaly. This is in the most southwest corner of Pennsylvania.

Yes, you can grow pomegranate bushes in Utah. The Russian-Turk pomegranates survive down to zone 6. I am currently living in zone 6b and growing both Russian 26, and Salavatski. The question is whether or not you will get a fruitful harvest. If you are willing to do a little work you can grow them outside and still have a harvest. You will need to plant them in a micro-zone warm spot usually on the south side of your house. A micro-zone will bring the growing perimeter up to zone 7. In order to get a harvest your pomegranate will have to start blooming in April. You can put stakes around your bush and then staple 6 mil plastic drop cloth around the stakes creating a temporary anti-freeze zone and this will help warm the bush up and bring it out of dormancy quickly. You can do the same thing to extend the growing season if your pomegranates are not yet ripe by November. Hope this helps.

I've never heard of propagating a Datura from cuttings. I have always been told it was seeds, but I could have always been told wrong. I haven't looked for a proof positive answer, because, though I see quite a few of these absolutely beautiful plants growing in people's yards, I do not know them, therefore, I just can't walked up to them & start asking questions. I purchased seeds online of two trumpet plants. I tried sowing them last year without any luck. This year was off too a bad start as well. Unlike the first try, these did not even germinate. The seeds rotted in the soil. Damping off killed my first set. I am currently in my third attempt. It has been about two weeks since they have sprouted, & things seem to be looking brighter.

Edj, which nursery did you buy it from? Is it a grafted plant? Can you give an idea of its price, ie under $50? Over $50? (About growing conditions: yes, full sun in summer is likely to scorch the leaves--avoid strong winds too, esp. those hot northerlies--but I reckon it wouldn't like heavy shade in those long cold grey Melbourne winters either. It's a thirsty plant during the growing season, and will start dropping leaves quickly if allowed to dry out, and eventually die if kept dry for too long. But it doesn't like to be waterlogged either. Give it a good rich soil with lots of organic matter, some light shade from the hottest summer sun and some wind protection if you can manage it, and use mulch in the growing season to help retain the moisture in the soil. Good soil and water will keep its roots healthy and the plant growing well, and protection from the hot summer sun and v. strong winds will keep its foliage looking good.) Jim, this business of reclassifying plants is very frustrating. As soon as you become familiar with a plant's name, they go and change it--sometimes every decade or so. How's a person supposed to keep track? (Not your fault, of course, I'm just venting.) Anyway, I thought michelias were separated from magnolias because michelias flowered in the leaf axils.We always knew they were related to magnolias, so that's no revelation.