Return to the Winter Garden Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Cold tolerance
| | |
Posted by echalmers 6bMD (My Page) on Wed, Dec 4, 02 at 9:09
| We've had a sudden spate of very cold weather--in the 20s and high teens every night. I failed to spray any plants with Wilt-Pruf or to wrap them in burlap. Last night I found my small acuba gold spot wilted, along with my Katsura Japonica vine, and of all things my winter daphne! Can anyone tell me about the cold tolerance of these plants? I know the acuba and japonica vine are not completely cold hardy. But they are tucked into an enclosed yard against walls, and there has been plenty of rain. But it's been so cold that even the ivy is looking peaked.
Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
Emily
NB I did wrap the acuba and the lower part of the japonica vine in several layers of burlap, and I placed a burlap drape over the daphne. If the temperature climbs to more than 40 this weekend, I can also spray them with Wilt-Pruf. |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Cold tolerance
| | |
| What is a Katsura japonica vine? |
RE: Cold tolerance
| | |
- Posted by iann z8/9 England (My Page) on
Mon, Dec 30, 02 at 8:19
| Aucuba japonica won't be seriously damaged by temperatures in the teens unless that is combined with strong sun or wind. In a sheltered spot it is OK down to about 0F, but will look pretty sorry for itself until it thaws out. --ian |
RE: Cold tolerance
| | |
| Ian-- Thanks! I had noticed that although the acuba looks pretty sad after a cold night, it revives considerably in the afternoon. The daphne has been looking OK. An article I read recently pointed out that it's probably best not to plant things that won't tolerate your winters, obvious but nevertheless sage advice. Thus the vine is the only thing I've left wrapped, on a friend's advice. Emily P.S. In zone 6a north of Baltimore, one of the nurseries told me the store won't sell acubas because they don't survive well up there--they die back every time it gets very cold. |
RE: Cold tolerance
| | |
I have had a Mature 5' Acuba planted in a somewhat sheltered site, during the worst ice storm we have ever had,
outer leaves turn black. There was a layer of ice coating them for a week or so, before the temp got above single digits. I cut back the black leaves, becuase they were so unsightly. The temperatures finally warmed up a bit, and
the leaves perked up. The following spring it bushed out even more , and looks wonderful now.
I have sinced moved, but have 3 plants grown from cuttings, taken from that plant. They are about 3 to 4 foot
high now and look great.
I can't say enough good things about this plant. I love the fact that bugs dont bother it, and it douesn't seem effected by disease. |
RE: Cold tolerance
| | |
- Posted by Cady 6b/Sunset34 MA (My Page) on
Thu, Nov 18, 04 at 11:41
| My understanding that acuba is kind of marginal in zone 6, and is happier in warmer zone 7. But I figure that mulching and winter protection will help in zone 6b. I'm planning to try it next year. Even if the top gets cold-killed, you may find that the shrub sends new shoots up in the spring. Protecting the roots with mulch may be the best thing you can do. |
|
|
|
|
