Adam,

Almost all of my Yucca do that too. The exception is the Yucca filamentosa... I think it has to do with these plants not having a true dormancy period. That, combined with the low temps and lack of light, IMO, causes the leaves to turn white like that. In their native haunts they are able to get more light over the winter and, at least during the day, warmer temps. I'll have to double check that that happens to my Yucca now that I tie the leaves into spears to avoid rabbit damage. I miss that Dasylirion too, until I remember how it ripped my leg apart with those hooks...

I've found needles to be super hardy but so prone to spear pull and almost unable to recover from spear pull. They remain alive due to their suckering habit, but it can be difficult to keep the stem alive and healthy long enough for them to gain impressive size. Minors are hardy too, but are so SLOW to recover from damage. Plus, they demand absolute dry while cold or the leaves rot.

I tried fusiformis a few years back. It died its first winter. I think that Kevin (Southcoast gardens) has managed to keep the one that I gave him alive for a few years now. Last time I saw it it was about 10cm tall. I can't even begin to guess how far down it has sent its taproot! There are probably better evergreen (better meaning hardier, not prettier) oaks out there!

Adam, sheesh, I can't even GIVE away those Quercus rubra acorns. 😆 😆

Re your yucca, the area looks really wet.
Does it get overloaded with roof water?

Barb

I remember trying the Escobaria's back in 2005-2006. About 90% died the first winter. 😆

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Hi Adam,

yes your Y. rostrata has some cold damage..........it appears OK. I'm not sure of the exact cause......like Paul says it could be several factors. I'll uncover my rostratas shortly and we'll see what they look like. ❓

Tim,

I've found with those 'ball' or 'barrell' types that they can survive several winters, then mysertiously rot one year. I can't make sense of it. Of those you list I have overwintered E. vivipara (many), E. missouriensis, E. organensis, E. leei (very hardy), E. sneedii (similar to leei), and had a zilziana survive one winter... I really should double check my cactus list, I think it was over 130 types last time I updated it... No idea if the tags are all still in place though!

Oh, and before I forget, has anyone had luck with the tall growing types of O. humifusa? I'm specifically asking about O. ammophilia, it's 'supposed' to be a zone 6 plant but I've not had luck with it.

cool looking upright humifusa Paul. 8)

Yeah. Maybe the sad rostrata will be happier planted out of the wind and eight inches higher up in the bed. It is kinda in a gully.

A very good thread this... a sort of "garden of remembrance"
Well my contribution is a beautiful cabbagepalm Cordyline Australis which grew in my garden for twenty two years

It was around 15ft tall and part of the garden structure and then one very cold winter it was gone. Had to chop it down as there was a terrible stench of decay. Young shoots have sprouted from the roots but my seed grown replacements have grown better.

Andy, ooh, what a loss that was.

Aaron, that's the little Brevi right?
The big one is still alive, isn't it?

Barb

Planted in ground, protected with a cover and C-9 lights, and then chickened out and dug it up again in November 😆

Barb

Barb, you're the best 😆

Andy.........great specimen Cordyline! Too bad the cold got it. 😥

Aaron.........you lost that beauty? Too bad. 😥

Aaron, that's the little Brevi right?
The big one is still alive, isn't it?

Barb

Yip, that was the smaller one, the big one is doing great! 😀

Aaron.........you lost that beauty? Too bad. 😥

Yaaa, still a little bummed. 🙂