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Indicator plants for my zone
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Posted by Brian_K z6 OH (My Page) on Fri, Sep 9, 05 at 21:57
| I am trying to determine what my zone is by looking at climatological data and indicator plants. USDA hardiness maps put Westerville, Ohio (Columbus), at at least zone 5b or 6.
What I'd like to know are what plants indicate a zone 6 or a zone 7 climate? I have vinca major that was evergreen last winter, rose of sharon, portulaca grandiflora that reseeds, japanese maples, english ivy, purple coneflower that returns, japanese bloodgrass, yucca filamentosa (or something similar), and cherry tomatoes that reseed.
I'd appreciate any indicator plants for z6 and z7, thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Indicator plants for my zone
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| Any plant that needs stratification would be a good indicator for your area. I'm a bit north of you in Ohio but depending on your microclimate, you and I can go between a 5 or 6. Tulips and other bulb like hyacinth and daffodils some to mind. Deciduous trees and bushes maybe. Everything you've listed sounds like hardy perennials that can take the cold inout area and infact need it to thrive. Does that help? |
RE: Indicator plants for my zone
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| There really isn't any such thing as an indicator plant for hardiness zone. The reason is that USDA hardiness zones measure only one thing and that is the average coldest temperature in a year. Individual plants of the same type vary in their cold hardiness and each year is different. One year your area might set a cold record, but you have 3 feet of snow on the ground(an insulator) and most things survive. Next year you have a mild winter, but no snow and lots of things do not survive. Just consider yourself to be a zone 5/6. I consider myself a zone 4/5 since it varies on the year. I guess I could consider myself a zone 4/5/6 given the real temps year by year. |
RE: Indicator plants for my zone
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- Posted by Nurmey 5 Omaha, NE (My Page) on
Sat, Sep 10, 05 at 10:33
| I see where you are going with your question but all of the plants you listed are hardy to my zone or lower and reseed just fine. Something like a Canna would be something you could use. It will not over-winter in the ground in zone 5 but can be left (with mulch) in zone 6. There are a zillion other plants like that but I need to have much more coffee before I can think what they are. ;o) |
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