Paul, thanks for the early spring update! Unlikely if I will be able taking "the spring shots" until the end of March - too cold with a plenty of snow so far!

your picture Yucca glauca (middle) and Yucca 'Big Tenn' x filata 'seedlings' (with frost cloth): does Arundo donax stands at the upper right corner there?

Very nice, Paul!
Sorry about the Sabal "Birmingham". Not long-term hardy here, either, but I have some seedlings I'm growing up--they came inside for winter. Very good to hear about "Brazoria." I don't have any but want to learn more about them.
As for suggestions, I am a big fan of needle palms. You'll want to heat them, but that is true for every palm where you live.

Those rabbits and their damage, what a shame 👿

Happy to see a holly that's suited to zone 4; will look for it here.
Doubt it'll like our summer's dry heat.

That aureosulcata's getting beautiful.

Yes, good news about the S. Brazoria.

Nice update Paul.
Barb

Pretty good paul! I was wondering how your bamboo was doing this year.

Excellent job Paul

This winter has helped us all out!

Nice pics, Paul! Do you think D. macropodum is the hardiest Daphniphyllum?

Cam- I've not tried any others. From what I had read there weren't any others hardy below zone 8... If you have a suggestion I'd love to hear it! I'm always looking for more plants to kill! P.S. I will email you soon.

Thanks Jim and barb.

Erik- The 'Birmingham' is really disappointing. I love the look of trunking Sabals, and since I'm going to have to protect anyway I went for Sabal instead of Trachycarpus (which I like, but they are coarse plants)... I guess that next I will have to try S. palmetto! The needle has earned its spot for this coming season. That'll be 2 in the ground.

Igor- The grass is Miscanthus gigantus (floridus). Unfortunately A. donax has not been hardy for me.

<a href=" http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2235071400072511707CrRbV U"><img src=" " alt="DSC02968"> You can see the Yuccas etc. to the right!

Thanks, Paul! Your Miscantus looks gorgeous! Pretty much Arundies ! 😆 I will let you know if my Arundo does well after this unbelievably cold winter.

nice grass clump Paul!

Glad to see most of your yuccas are doing good. 😀 Nice summer pic. 8)

The March issue of Gardens West featured a new holly rated Zone 6, but with the comment "suspicion that further testing will bring it into Zone 5".
Ilex "Red Beauty" from Monrovia.

http://www.monrovia.com/plant-catalog/plants/564/red-beauty-holly.php

If it can grow in 5, and I sure hope so, it would only thrive on the East side of a building in the Okanagan's heat and dry winds.

Barb

Hi Barb,

Have you ever tried Holly in your area? The native Holly trees in our area are understory trees growing below other taller trees so if you try one, keep it out of the hot, dry sun.

Here's a few of our natives:

Typical leaf:
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Odd leaf form....likely a hybrid with a garden variety:
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Yup, several times, all died.
Just too hot/dry and windy here in summer.
So it's encouraging to see one that might be rated a 5.

When I lived in Vancouver they were everywhere, gorgeous.
Stately 20 footers flanking a driveway, a row down a back fence.
All loaded with red berries.

They also like 100 inches of rain a year and acid soil (that part's easy). 🙄

The crinkled leaf one in your 2nd pic is a lovely variety.
Thanks for the pics.

Barb

Im pretty sure there are quite a few zone 5 holly. "possumhaw" is native to southern ontario. I think the problem in your area barb, as you mentioned is lack of water, lack of proper soil, and strong, dry wind.