Posted by northerngeo 3B to 4A (My Page) on Sun, Dec 2, 12 at 20:10

My question us also about overwintering plants. Lemon verbina, pineapple sage, and an unknown but very tender tropical. I live in a VERY windy and dry area. As I write it is blowing a pretty steady 50 mph and gusting well above that. No snow lives long here but in rare years. (Had 2 yrs. ago, spectacular perrenals!) No attached or slightly heated areas, and in 1/2 barrels or large pots so don't think burying is an option. To tender, I think, anyway. Have a heated garden room that I am keeping cool at present (right-wrong don't know, but it is where I start my seeds so it will soon be well lighted and warm. If I invest in full spectrum lighting will that make them sturdy if I cut them back and they start growing. I am at a loss.
Thank you so much for any help that you can offer.

I had the same problem a dozen years back.
Tender plants in huge pots and bringing them into my back room to overwinter
Pots became so heavy and stuff like that
My solution, well my husband and my solution, was to buy a place in Florida.

I have enjoyed it so much and learned a completely new style of gardening.
Not for everyone , my plan, but if it where not for my love of gardening and my husband loving golf, we would yet be spending winters in Canada and moving pots.