zones changing? plant for differences?

15 years ago

It seems that a lot of plants overwintered in the ground for us this year. I've also noticed a lot more volunteers, even though we were in a very long, exceptional drought here in North Carolina.

I didn't lift my cannas (wet area), colocasia nor brugs. They have come back.

Of course, if I adjust what I plant, it will probably go back to "normal" again! Anyone else trying to decide what to do? I think I'll wait another year before getting too bold with experiments.

Cameron

Salvia gregii 'Navajo Red' was evergreen all winter

Petunias came back from 3 years ago:

Calla overwintered

{{gwi:220100}}

Here is a link that might be useful: my gardening blog (irises are latest pix)

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Comments (3)

bullthistle
15 years ago
Cameron, even with the drought I've had a lot more redbud seedlings popping up all over the place, with only one tree, so eventually will it become an invasive species? Times they are changing.
sunimrette
15 years ago
For the second year in a row my calla lilies came back. This winter they were in the ground, but the winter before that they were in a much-neglected hanging basket with no shelter from the elements and they still came back! When I bought them I was told zones 10-11, maybe 9. Ha! I have also had a potted bay laurel for a few years now that stays outside despite warnings. A crop of volunteer petunia seedlings survived one winter scattered around in my patio pots and bloomed first thing that spring. I have grown giant elephant ears, dahlias, and cannas for years without fuss. The only thing I ever bother to lift anymore are the banana trees, and those just get tossed in an unheated (but sheltered) shed for the winter. Who knows, even that may be unnecessary. Maybe this year I should leave one out as an experiment!

On the other hand, one of my salvias, which I mulched and babied last winter, never made a reappearance. And the top half of most of my young trees and some of my hydrangeas died back. Several young woody perennials in pots died. It seems that the bigger problem in NC where winters are chilly and wet is rotting rather than freezing.

~Rachel
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nannerbelle
15 years ago
Interesting start here to my change of zones from 7 to 8. I moved from NC to SC and have some interesting first year results. First off, my potted Petunias last year seeded and I have plants this year coming up where I placed the plants last year. I also have Portulaca or Sea Rose coming back as a volunteer. And I put a Musa Basjoo (sp) in last year, thought it was dead from the drought and it's up and putting out new leaves this year with no overwintering precautions at all. I see some of you have had success with leaving Calla in the ground. I bought one I love this year and currently have it potted. I'm considering moving it to one of my beds. Think it will make it if I mulch good before cold sets in this year???