I said it before and I'll say it again: 'The More I Learn...

19 years ago

... the More Confused I Get."

OK, so the latest thing to tax my brain is this:

Since I am zone 6/7, and my garden is a container garden, I always heard that the rule of thumb is to subtract 2 zones when looking for (container-intended) plants that will be hardy to your area. So I therefore thought that, for perennials, I should only look at plants for Zone 5 or below. Yesterday I was looking through a book I have, that shows all kinds of plants and their characteristics. I saw some plants listed as Zone 3-8 for example. Some of these same plants were then described as "moderately frost hardy". Conversely, I saw other plants listed as Zone 6-9 for example, and some of these were described as "fully frost hardy". So I am confused.

The only thing I could think it means is this: one particular plant might be normally found in Zone 6, and while it is "fully frost hardy" (meaning one night of frost isn't going to kill it?), that it could not survive the longer term frosts that would be found in lower zones. And conversely, while another plant might be normally found in Zone 3, if it is only "moderately frost hardy", that might mean that that particular plant, while found in parts of Zone 3, may not survive if it is exposed to long periods of frost?

So am I not only supposed to be looking at a plant's hardiness zone, but am I also supposed to find out how frost hardy it is? Is a plant's zone and its frost-hardiness mutually exclusive?

Thanks!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

sara_the_brit_z6_ct
19 years ago
I've noticed that sometimes books can be extremely confusing, if not downright sneaky: a plant described as Zone 3-8 but "not fully frost hardy" sounds to me like something that will survive a Zone 8/7 winter, but is probably to be considered an annual in Zone 3/4!

What plants in particular were they? It's always good to cross-check hardiness claims in several books.
Lynn Nevins
Original Author
19 years ago
I can't recall offhand what plants they were, but I do know they were all perennials. And yes, I have noticed that when I get a plant, the zone info on the tag, versus the info I later research online, versus my books at home, often vary by 2 zones for the exact same plant. So I usually go with an "average" of all the zone indications. :--)
Related Discussions
mommy says 'the judge said'
Q
Comments (6)
We do have full custody she has vistation but "her boss says" she has to work so she can't pick them up today betwen her boss and the judge she can't be a mom Yes this is what the kids say. They will get ready for her to pick them up and she'll call "stuck at work" can't pick them up we have a court order as to visitation and support she completely ignores it and does what she wants when she wants. Blames the boss and judge its the judges fault she has to have a boss and its daddys fault the judge made her get another job. See the cycle... everyone else's fault but hers. Each time we go back to court it costs us over $1000 and we still don't get any help. He tells her you are going to end up in jail... her response "I'll go to jail before I pay you anything" and "will you bring the kids to visit me in jail?" yes she has told the kids daddy and the judge are going to put me in jail. They don't get to visit with mom they take a guilt trip and we have to deal with the meltdowns. We cannot say mommy is hurt or angry the 11 yr old says we "pick on mommy" and "talk about her" when we say anything about mom that so we can't. He feels he has to defend mommy because she is the victim because its 2 against 1. Dad told her until you pay your support and bills you are going to equally provide meals for them if its your day you feed them. She makes twice the money he does. She wanted the 5:30 pick up time. Mcdonalds is open 24 hours a day she can feed them anytime she wants. They stuff themselves and their backpacks with food/snacks when going to moms she doesn't have anything in her house they only have fast food with her. The 7 yr old had a meltdown over not having dessert ( I usually bake something or we have fruit but I didn't bake anything that day) ... Do you have dessert at mommy's? (this would be a comment the 11yr old thinks we are picking on mommy about) No it costs too much at mcdonalds... then don't expect it here she now knows dessert is a treat not an everyday event ... even though we have something just about everyday.
...See More
What I've learned. I'll pass it on...
Q
Comments (12)
I used a small contractor for my kitchen remodel 4 years ago and I wish two things. I wish he hadn't retired shortly after he finished my kitchen and I wish he could have cloned himself and his crew. Our remodel was also a gut to the studs job which included moving and resizing a doorway. I had no delays, no mistakes, no issues what so ever. My remodel was done in less than 3 months and only took that long because my Amish made cabinets took 5 weeks to get the cabinets made. (The cabinet maker wouldn't start making the cabinets until after the new walls were all in place so they could measure in real life and not just rely on blueprints). The contractor always let me know ahead of time when his subs would be there. They subs always showed up on time and cleaned up after themselves before they left each day. On an occasion or two I offered to clean up so they could get going after a long day but they always said no because "the boss wouldn't approve of that." There were no extra charges over the contractors original bid. We had used the contractor previously for siding and window work so we knew him and he knew us but we still were were surprised that he didn't take any deposit from us prior to starting our kitchen remodel. We were more that 100% satisfied with our experience. I wish everyone could have such a positive experience. Even though the contractor has retired and closed his business, when we called him to get some recommendations for some small projects like fencing, rotten outside trim and fixing our storage shed, he offered to do the work for us. He was a master carpenter by trade and said he doesn't want to lose his skills. Oh, if there were only more of his type in the world.
...See More
This Is From Before - I'll Spare You The After
Q
Comments (14)
Thank you all, dear friends, you're so kind. Nik, I'm glad you had a good storm. I just read the latest forecast for our region here, and it's predicted to be hotter and drier than normal, which is very bad news. However, we'll muddle through. Marlorena, the fact that I'm still able to water normally helps a lot, and all my pictures lately were taken when temps were low. I won't be whipping out my camera until this hot spell is over, that is for sure. Lisa, I know you're miserable in the heat and I hope you don't set foot outside. So sorry about your DdB, which seems very persnickety. No mildew on my DdB, and she's in a lot of shade. Something seems to be up with yours, although at least it's covered with blooms. Carol, I'm blushing, but at the same time so happy that my pictures give you pleasure. I'm afraid that showing the same few roses over and over will get boring, and I'll be happy when my youngsters have some blooms that are different. I always nip off the buds for at least the first year in the hope that this will hasten growth, but I know not everyone agrees it's necessary. I may give that a pass just to be able to enjoy different blooms.
...See More
I was ready to post and it just disappeared. I'll try again tomorrow
Q
Comments (13)
So sorry you have had the problems. I have had occasional problems, and it is not speedy. That is because I got rid of my internet service though and tether my phone to the computer to load pictures, etc. Would probably be easier for me if I took the photos with my phone. Pictures might be better too, but I am only able to learn a limited number of new tech things a year so will have to try that next year :) I hope you decide to stick around, you have been a member of our family so long, you would be really missed.
...See More
gardener_sandy
19 years ago
The zone info can be very confusing, and to add to that is the fact that every yard has it's own little "micro-climate" areas. On the north side in the shade, you will need to go at least one zone down to get hardy plants, while on the south side in the sun you can go one zone up and still have plants that survive most winters. And to complicate matters further, the heat in the summer also plays an important role in which plants will thrive and which will curl up and cry "uncle!"

Personally, I try almost any plant that is listed as zone 7 (in ANY reference!) in whatever area of the yard seems right for the plant. Zone 8 plants get put in a foundation bed on the south side of the house and so far I've had good luck with them.

Like so many of the so called "rules" of gardening, zones are not set in concrete. If you like the looks of a plant and want to give it a try, find the spot in YOUR yard that seems like the best bet and go for it!
mycalicogirls
19 years ago
This is my take on the haridness info, but I'm not a professional horticulturist. I read those ranges as being a top end and a bottom end...so, zone 3 would be the coldest and you may have the top killed, but still get some root life (our classic here is hydrangeas and many roses, where you have to totally regrow the top each summer) and the top of the range would be the important for plants which need vernalization (winter cold temps) to live. For example, daffodils don't grow well in areas with very warm winters. I hear they don't grow in Texas and Florida, for example.

The Extension Service experts here tell us that no plant will survive in a pot outside over the winter here, but I have hostas sheltered on my front porch in a very large cauldron and they're fine. Molly

I said it before and I'll say it again: 'The More I Learn...

Comments (4)

sara_the_brit_z6_ct

Lynn Nevins
Original Author

Related Discussions

gardener_sandy

mycalicogirls

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

I said it before and I'll say it again: 'The More I Learn...

Comments (4)

sara_the_brit_z6_ct

Lynn NevinsOriginal Author

Related Discussions

gardener_sandy

mycalicogirls

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Lynn Nevins
Original Author