Barrie, Your plants are stunning(as usual)LOL I so desire to visit your coast, I'm afraid I'll fall in love with the Pacific Ocean and be one of those sad souls who continually bounce back and forth homesick for the other side, not that that will stop me when the opportunity arrives, M

Barrie, I notice your Phormium are planted in ground outside. I think you are probably a bit warmer than I am being you are on the Island, but I am wondering, when should I take mine in or should I put it in ground for overwinter. If I put it in the ground do I have to mulch around it?? Thanks! Laura

Laura,

I don't think we're any warmer in winter here at all. Quite comparable in winter low temps around the Nanaimo area. There are some mild areas as well, like there are around Vancouver (English Bay).
Phormium are proven perfomers here and no mulch is needed.
I've found that the plain green type more suceptable to stress, whether it's drought or extreme cold.

Cheers, Barrie (Vancouver Island)

Hi there,
Just wondering, I am in Ontario, zone 5 and believe I am planning to take the phormium inside. Tell me, your area do the leaves die back? I was wondering about putting them in my cold cellar. I overwinter my dalia & other tubors there as they don't freeze but this my first winter for the phormium. I plan to do the same for my banana plant too...maybe put it in my sunroom...suggestions ideas are appreciated.

Jocque

In my experience Phormium must be planted in a very shelterd site in zone 8a. Temps of -10 to -12 C do significant damage. Here in Chilliwack I have one planted against a south wall sheltered from Outflow winds which is fine.

In Nanaimo, zone 8b Phormium seems to be fine planted out in the open at least in areas close to the water.

Jocque,

No leaf die back. These are evergreen plants through winter here. Putting them in your cellar is a good idea to over-winter in your zone 5 area, however they'll need decent light. Like most other things during this time, reduce watering.

Criag W,

Not all of Nanaimo is 8b. Here, terrain plays an important part as well as proximity to the ocean. Some areas such as Departure Bay, Hammond Bay, Stevenson Pt., Downtown waterfront, Protection Island etc are reliably zone 8b. Many other areas can on occasion, experience an 8a winter. These periodic 8a regions can get much more summer heat. Many times the difference is less than a half a mile!

Cheers, Barrie.

Craig W,

I just read your post in the "Where do you live" thread. Moving to the Island, congradulations! We'll have to get together once your settled and compare notes. You can e-mail us anytime for any help or info you may need.

Cheers, Barrie (Lantzville)

Hi Barrie;

I am moving to the country club area Nanaimo. Approximately 1 km midslope uphill from Departure Bay beach. Based on the vegetation in the area my guess is this area is zone 8b.

Does the Phormium need to be planted with a lot of sand since they don't like wet ground? I am in the Yellowpoint area and have bought 4 of them to put in. Thanks!