Pushing the limits of cold hardiness.. – Page 6 – Cold Hardy – General – PalmsNorth.com

canadianplant · 2010-01-28T11:39:06Z

I am looking to try some "on the edge gardening". Im in what is said to be zone 3-4, but Id say its zone 4 myself. With proper multching, i belive i can bring the zone up to 5, and mabey 6, with other measures. Basicly, I would like suggestions, no matter how far fetched on what to try up here. If you ever wondered " i wonder how cold this can take?", or " I wonder how cold tolerant this actually is?", please let me know. Ill take any plant suggestions from, fruit trees, bamboo, palms, banana, ginger, decidious trees, pine, flowers, vines, ferns, anything. Im looking for mainly tropical looking plants, but ill take any suggestions.I would more then likley be posting updates on the plants as the year goes by.This is prompted by some information i recently read. It stated that the hardiness zones we use are made for trees basicaly. I would personaly like to know the limits of "tropical" gardening, and also the limits of certain species, with various types of wiinter protection.The growing season is from mid may or beginning of june to about mid september or end of october. The ground doesnt freeze till about end of december. I belive I have stopped the ground from freezing around my fargesia by multching when the ground was still soft. Id most likely build wooden boxes and insulate the plants on top of multching. Im crafty that way lol.So any suggestions, or help in anyway would be greatly appreciated!!!

canadianplant

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Alright... so the bamboo is ordered........ Psudosasa Japonica ( cheap..... ill separate it when I get it.... half inside, half out......)

Phyllostachys aureosulcata alata

Wish me luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for your help everyone... and paul especialy!

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

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Posted : 08/03/2010 2:32 pm

canadianplant

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So far everything ive planted has sprouted ( morning glory, clematis, passiflora.... lupin), excep the colocasia ( taro root), and the ginger ( common). I also added a Canna Indica Purpurea to my bamboo order...

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

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Posted : 26/03/2010 2:01 pm

canadianplant

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Ive aquired everything im gonna plant.... so now im waitin on my order to come in, and nature to decide if were gonna have an early frost date or not this year.... LOL..

Ill be posting som epics in a few weeks....

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

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Posted : 10/04/2010 3:34 pm

canadianplant

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So now, the garden centers are open, and getting new shipments once or twice a week. So far ive picked up 3 foxfglove, what is labled" assorted clematis " ( the flowers are 5 pointed, either white or differnt shades or purple). Im waiting for their canna shipment... and to see if they get any more fargeisa in. Pics should be comming soon!

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

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Posted : 03/05/2010 12:43 pm

TerdalFarm

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We're looking forward to those photos.
Last year I did all my planting in May and things weren't well established by the time June came and we had record heat. So, I've tried to start earlier this year. --Erik

Posted : 03/05/2010 1:37 pm

canadianplant

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Ive planted the azalea ( lollipop), pixie asiatic lily, crimson pirate day lily, "gold medal" grandiflora rose, Olympiad hybrid tea rose, and Wisteria floribunda
'Longissima Alba'. WE had a fairly late cold spell (-4C), aveything looks fine, except fer the wisteria leaves, thing rubbery and see through :S. Im just as not happy as it probably is. I know itll be fine, just sucks seeing it go down:S.

Ill be recieving my Bamboo/musa/canna shipment this week as well.

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 10/05/2010 3:45 pm

canadianplant

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WEll, i think ill post some pics of it so far. Its a work in progress.

This is what is called an "assorted clematis"

Its supposed to be one of these

THis is the wisteria ( before it got owned, im to embarrased to post an after frost pic lol)

THis is the whole bed so far ( swamp lily, iris, wisteria, and daylily)

This is the sheltered bed

THis is the azalea

THis is the Olympiad rose ( the other one looks as bad ATM

ANd thats really it so far. I have tons of morning glory ready to be planted ( too cold ATM), and not to mention lupin, some taro, and some alocasia that havne yett o come up

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 10/05/2010 3:58 pm

canadianplant

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THis is my most recent pic of the FArgesia

I fergot to mention to, i have some red pepper plants, as well as some "sugar sweet" cherry tomatoes. I also have some CAnna ( tropicanna black, Roseman cole, wyoming, and the president. I also have some foxglove as well. Pretty much EVERYTHING is new in there, cept the weigla, swamp lily and iris ( thers also some paeony), and the Vitus Himrod grape, which is slowly commin alive 😀

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 10/05/2010 4:03 pm

canadianplant

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WEll my Bamboo and musa arrived. Heres some pics, and another clematis i got.

Paul there ya go, you asked to see em. Most of the stuff is going out this weekend ( bamboo, clematis, lupin, foxglove), Im gonna wait a few weeks to plant the musa and morning glory, and other more tropical plants ( i have some spider plants and monstera to plant, not to mention 10 pots of canna).

Ill post more as the season comes along...

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 14/05/2010 2:20 pm

Paul Ont

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Good stuff! Is it frost free season up there yet?

Looks like you'll have a good first taste of exotic gardening...

Posted : 14/05/2010 2:44 pm

canadianplant

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Well, not on the calender:P We had a good -4C a week ago, wisteria looks like crap lol. But since then no frost, and were forecasted to be 5C minimum fer the next week at least. So a bunch of things are getting planted 😛

You have any updated pics of your place? ID like to see how its goin downt here.

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 14/05/2010 3:46 pm

Paul Ont

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No recent pics... Wisteria is nearly finished here, Lilacs too... The very late leafing species (oak, locust, etc.) now have fully extended their leaves...

Bamboo has begun shooting. Cacti are about to enter their 2 month show and the late Rhodies are just beginning as well! I'll post some pics when I have a chance.

Posted : 14/05/2010 6:28 pm

canadianplant

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Most recent pics. Im about half way done. STill gotta plant the musa, and the peppers n tomato. I now have 4 kinds of clematis ( crystal fountain, the president, radar love and gillian blades). I have a few canna now ( purpurea, roseman cole, wyoming, tropicanna black, the president and richard wallace).

"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 18/05/2010 3:43 pm

canadianplant

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"The definition of insanity, is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results" - einstien

Check out my new Blog! http://canadianplant.wordpress.com/

Posted : 18/05/2010 3:46 pm

lucky1

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If I can make a small suggestion...
after watering, plants would benefit from a deeper mulch (once the ground heats up) around them than currently, at least a couple of inches.
Keeps down weeds and considerably reduces need to water when it gets hot.

Nice plants...and a great little Selloum philodendron too.
Thanks for the pics.
Barb

If you drink, don't drive. Don't even putt.

Posted : 18/05/2010 4:53 pm