Plant_lover w/ photo above, hi, I am new to them and can say some of mine in the pots like that did the same thing, but they had to stay inside because unusual hard freeze on the coast, so brought them in, sunny window, along with a few outdoor cyclamen, and only lost one. I would say get them out into the pot or ground asap, as I am about to do, since they may be unhappy inside a pot! They do like the warmth above 30 degrees F for sure, 20 degrees no. So happy planting, advice from a tried and true friend who runs her own nursery on the coast also near me, is they survived best if planted along her house, meaning guess here they require some attention to protection, as well. But she says they are adorable and good in pots for now, too so I am hopeful they will make it! (photo of them still in the little black pots, together w/ the hardy cyclamen which I pray comes back cause I left it outside when the 20 degrees F hit! That was not smart! Anyway they look great together, supposed to come back, not demanding either one so before long maybe into ground or pot??

I'm not quite counting anyone as being down for the count quite yet. But now that spring is starting to rear, well, its at the forefront of my mind, most notably the butterfly bush since it is "half-hardy" here. Ultimately, I wont be too heartbroken if certain things don't come back (it gives a good reason to buy more!) and I don't know that I'm "worrying" or "stressing" about these but I am thinking of them. And of course, no walking on the grass/ground - just the looking at what I can see from the patio... though the dogs don't seem to mind squishing around in the mud... Did I mention all three are white? I hate this thaw! jebfarm - good to hear witch hazel is blooming! Hopefully not too long now! I'd love to get one of these, too! Woodyoak - I know what you mean about everything being sheeted in ice. We had a nice little defrost for about a day or two before it dropped back to the negatives and everything was encased in ice. We were like living in a snow globe where the snow didn't move when shook because the water itself was frozen. lacyveil - I second the gardenweed's sentiment about agastache and mint being not one to worry about. I left mine out in a metal filing cabinet we converted into a planter... I can see some little basal leaves underneath the fall leaves I put around it. I thought I killed it the year before by leaving it in full, direct sun in a very hot hot hot summer. Never bothered to pull it out of the container, which was left out all winter, and come spring had some springing up! I can't speak exactly to agasatche itself (just planted my firsts this past summer) but if its anything like its cousin... You're good :) Love the input everyone - the best part of the gardening community is you're never alone!

My pink hyrangea has survived two years in Florida...the bush is protected from the sun and is hevily mulched...It is not a huge plant, but I get a bunch of pretty pink flowers from it every year The elephant ear behind it is huge now - and as it grew, the hydrangea doubled in size! I think it liked a personal umbrella :) So, should we try starting cuttings for each other then? :) Olya p.s....our house is pink too...no, it is not my favorite color, and not the color of choice for the house...we just cannot get around to re-paint it :)

Hi Greylady_gardener: So nice to hear from you after all these years! I am sure I am still growing plants in my garden derived from seed exchanges with you. My butterfly bushes bloomed beautifully the first year, but did not survive the second winter. I tried again but I believe the seed was no longer viable and the original bush from which I had collected seed (a neighbour's) also died that year. I was surprised because that was a large shrub - over 6 feet tall. Perhaps they are just borderline hardy here in Ottawa. The good news, though, is that the butterflies were back last summer. Monarchs, painted ladies, and cabbage whites, and I hope this year I will have some swallowtails.