I'd be interested in this, too.

Yes there is, and you're at it.

While I can claim that I used to grow in San Diego, I don't anymore. BTW, there are lots of other folks here who do grow in cold climes. True, many of our plants are brought inside for the winter, but a number of us also maintain outside succulent gardens year-around (guilty as charged).

If you're specifically interested in cold climates, do a search for cold-hardy cacti and I know you'll find something - there are at least two or more forums for that.

OTOH, you could also ask GardenWeb to create a cold-hardy C&S Forum - use the 'Contact' button at the bottom of the page and issue your RFP (Request for Proposal). I guess that would be another forum I myself would contribute to, too.

I am not Z6 but Z8... I know others growing in OKC that are lurking out there. We are here. We become much more evident WHEN IT GETS COLD. then you here us whining

I'd be in... Maybe one could be created! I know no one in my area who grows any or is even interested. I even went and spoke at a garden club but they were only mildly interested when I offered to organize an order for some.

My next project is to create a hardy bed at my Elem school. I made one at my last school and the kids loved it.

I have probably about thirty different hardy cacti now and would love to have a forum to trade and get more.

I just cut out about 7 hardy agave parryi and one A. Havardiana a couple days ago

Similar experience, chrisware!
I run a farmers' and artisans' market and contacted the local branch of the cactus and succulent society to see if they could come to my market to promote the group and talk to folks about cold hardy ground cover and succulents. Have heard nothing back and it's been weeks.

I also spearheaded a farm to school project at my daughter's school last year (they now have container gardens) and have been wondering how to approach them about making a green roof with sedums when they move to their new site (2015).

I'd LOVE to share not just plants (although that would be awesome) but ideas. I've only just begun to tap into the word of cold hardy succulents and I'm quickly falling in love. There are so many lawns around here (especially steeply sloping) that would greatly be enhanced (not to mention effectively making those places mostly maintenance free) by succulent ground cover.

Anyway -- lots to think on. Definitely up for this.

Mama Z... What part of t he country are you? I think a large part of my issue is that WV is so geographically isolated, that
people don't think they can do it or just don't see much else that's different to peak their interests.

I started this thread because I feel the same as many of you do. There isn't much interest in cold-hardy cacti and succulents, probably because most people don't realize that they can grow so many types in colder climates. Of course, because nobody grows them, there hasn't been much interest generated, and so it's a sort of vicious circle. I think a lot of people are afraid to try something new, afraid of failure and/or afraid of being different. Maybe they think their neighbors would raise an eyebrow at seeing cacti in the snow!
Whatever the reasons, it's too bad that there isn't more interest because these plants can add a great deal of interest and beauty to areas that are less hospitable to the more common garden plants that people grow in our colder areas. And it can also be a great step forward in water conservation as well as less use of fertilizers, as most of these plants are adapted to poorer soils.

chrisware, I'm not too far from you. Right outside Philly. I'm pretty sure I'm one of the few folks 'round this way who care about frost hardy succulents. Maybe I'm wrong but I haven't met any yet.

For what it's worth, I've heard fantastic things about WV. Gorgeous country, I'm told.

I have posted a couple pics of my cold hardy C&S on this forum. CactusHarris was the only one to respond. All my post now have been on the palm forum for palms, cacti and bananas. I think we just need a group of friends to discuss the subject on this forum.

If you haven't read it already, check out Gwen Moore Kelaidis' book, Hardy Succulents. It's been invaluable for me here in Z5.

I suggest that you post the plants hardiness when you post and how you prepare for them in your area. I know Coloraodo is one thing and Philladelpia winters is another. I am dry and barely cold in comparison mostly but then we might get a winter that looks more like England once every 15 years. I lost my O. baselaris on a wet one.

I suggest that you keep posting and showing your pictures. I often only get one response. I know that there are us people out here and would like not to only see what you are growing, but HOW you are getting it to grow in the inhospitable places. My cactus live outside in pots mostly and one year I will get my bed made. I would like to hear about your preparations.