Hello DesertZone,

Welcome to the board. I have always wanted to try agaves. Maybe i will this spring. 😀 What would you suggest for a zone 6 dry climate?

Regards,
Jay

Hi,
I would try A. neomexicana, A. parryi, A. utah, and A. havardiana at first then any of the others you can afford to lose? There are some that don't do well here at all like A. americana, but who knows you might find that one that will make it though a bad winter! I keep trying until I find a individual that will take the cold. If the plant dies during the winter watch for pups in the summer, these pups might be more hardy then the mother plant! I place a hot cap over them when they are small this helps them keep dry during the winter and a little warmer, but make sure to poke a hole in the hot cap near the top, this helps keep it dry inside and lets high heat out. I due this for most of my plants, and seems to do wonders for them when they are very small. Growing them from seed also helps them become more cold hardy, this I see often. I don't know why it helps but it does help.

Hi Jay,
It sounds like we live in similar climates! It should be fun to see what each of us will have luck with. Before the internet people thought I was crazy to plant the things I have in my yard. So it is nice to know about all you other crazy people out there! If you find a trunking palm that needs no protection in zone 6 let me know, because I want one 🙂

DesertZone,

It does sound like we are in similar climates. I have drove through southern Idaho a couple of times on my way to Nevada. It's beautiful land. I love the desert. 😀

I think you mentioned you grow Y. Elata & Yucca brevifolia? Do you have those planted in the ground?

Regards,
Jay

Hi Jay,
Yes, I grow both of them outside not protected, and they seem to do just fine, even at temps as low as -14 F. I have noticed that the dwarf sp. of brevifolia gets less winter burn Then its larger sp.! Y. eleta may burn back to the ground a few times until it gets bigger, it does not like potting soil much because of the acids. The Y. eletas that I have grown from seed have caught up to a nursery grown plant five years older then the seedlings I have grown. The seedlings also do better in the winter.
Y. brevifolia may be one of the most hardy yuccas I have seen. The bigger sp. may burn on the younger leaves but by spring the new flush of leaves out grows any winter burn. Y. brevifolia is also one of the first to start growing in the spring. I don't know who gave yuccas thier planting zones, but I bet they live in the south. I would try any yucca north of the Mexican border in a zone 6 if grown from seed in your area.
Yes, some will die ( when very young ) but others will live through many of bad wintes!

That's awesome! I have always wanted to try Y. brevifolia but thought they would never survive the winter. I have seen many Y. Elatas around town and the largest (15-20 ft tall) about a hour and a half drive south of where i live. I will be planting some Elatas this spring. 😀

Hi Jay,
That is cool that people there are growing Y elata! I think when people find out how hardy Y. brevifolia is it will be very popular in the north! I checked on my small Y. australia, and a Y. mojave today and they seem to be doing very well! (no protection ) I am going to try again this spring with Y. torryi, I have treid this one a few times with little to no success ( seems to die at 0 F. ), but I have grown a few from seed a couple of years ago, so I hope they do bettter.
So...Jay what other yuccas have you seen there?

You sure know your yuccas. 😀 I'm still learning about all the different types. I see allot of Adams needle & Glauca. There are some small trunking yuccas around town which i think might be Yucca baccata? I haven't noticed any Rostrata or rigida but i'm sure someone is trying them out.

Regards,
Jay

I am still learning also, I have been a big fan of the desert most of my life, and seem to learn something new every day. It also helps to be friends with Lamar ( the owner of Plantasia Cactus Gardens ) he is one of the best when it comes to cold hardy cactus and desert plants! His nursery and garden is as nice as any I have seen! I think the only thing his garden is missng are saguaros! The verity of cactus he grows in a zone 6 is amazing! I hope one day to post some pics of his gardens to inspire people. I should also say he is one of the nicest people I have met.
Hey Jay if you get a chance try yucca rostrata, and yucca riggida. They both grow rather fast for trunking yuccas and yucca riggida has the bluest leaves I have seen on a yucca.

That's great. I would love to see those pics someday. I might try yucca rostrata this spring if i can get some good seed.

Regards,
Jay

Hi,
What does it take to send seeds to Canada? I have some good Y. rostrata seed left over from last years plantings. I could give you a few if you want some? That is if it does not take much time or money 🙄 . They are real easy to start!

Aaron,

That would be awesome if you would do that. 😀 It shouldn't cost more than two stamps? When i receive seeds from the US the postage is usually under $1. Since it's the holiday season it might be a little busy but i'm in no hurry. 😀

Regards,
Jay

Hi,
Cool just give a pm with your address and I will send them your way!

PM Sent. 😀