Pushing Your Zone

15 years ago

I am always wondering here in central Florida whether I can grow something that is not suppose to grow in my 9b zone. I know I can just look around the neighborhood and see what is growing, but I always have the hope I could be the first one to grow a northern plant or a sensitive tropical plant that is not suppose to grow here. I think it would help me and others if everyone could share their attempts to grow beyond their zone and the outcome.

I have successfully grown here hydrangeas and bottle brush palms, but have tried and failed at tree peonies and hostas.

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Comments (7)

fawnridge (Ricky)
15 years ago
My one out-of-zone failure was a Weeping Willow - Salix babylonica - about 4 years ago. I bought it from a nursery in Loxahatchee and had it planted on the north side of the garden, close to the water. It lasted until around mid-July; couldn't take the heat.

There are always postings here about Hostas; many have tried, all have failed. I've had some limited success with English Ivy - deep shade and lots of water, but it really doesn't belong this far south.

I would say, if you'll never know until you try. I'm growing Carob trees right now from seeds collected in Lisbon, Portugal; not exactly zone 10.
junkyardgirl
15 years ago
My one semi-success has been a purple leaf plum tree, that is doing well. It never blooms, and never had plums (they don't taste good anyway), but it's beautiful in the spring when those deep purple leaves come out. This year, the tips of the limbs never filled out. Don't have a clue why.
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USDA has not updated its map since 1990. Anything seen or claiming to be a new USDA zone map (other than the digital scan of the 1990 map done in 2001 is a fake. I know because I am part of the team that is nearing the finish of doing the new USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. There was a draft done by the American Horticultural Society and submitted to USDA in 2006, but it was done in the same technology as the 1990 map, was not suitable to be viewed on the web, and was not GPS compatible, so it was rejected. Please keep in mind that all Plant Hardiness Zone Maps are based on AVERAGE lowest temperature, not the lowest in any winter. When you select plants that push your zone limit, use your knowledge about microclimates and the sheltered areas in your garden to give the tenderer plants the best chance to survive.
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Sorry to hear of it MG. Unfortunately it was somewhat predictable. BC did enjoy unusually warm temps over the past few years and so many gardeners were able to plant tropical plants outdoors. I thought that it would only take one particularly cold season to destroy these plants. This is the problem with zonal denial gardens. It wouldn't survive a colder and harsher winter. Global Warming is a phenomenon that occurs approx. every 15,000 - 18,000 years. and since we are in the midst of one right now - we probably are in for long ride. So plant carefully and within your zone. By the way, Zones are determined by carefully plotting out temperatures and plant hardiness in the previous 10 years. Perhaps in another 10 years zones will change as a result of global warming. Who knows.
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trini1trini
15 years ago
Hmmm, let's see....I am in zone 10.

I have daylilies in their 3rd year-dont know if that counts

Camellias in their 5th year.

Peaches doing well-although low producing.

California plum-10 years, produces fruit but the tree hasn't grown in 10 years-amazing...but she produces fruit.

Everything else I tried-dead, and I have tried LOTS.

I also have some ultratropicals (zone 12)that are just as much work. They can't take any cold or they will die. Those make frequent trips inside in the winter.
happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand
15 years ago
I am giving olive trees a try. If they survive our rainy summers, they should do fine. Just hope that the chill hours needed are low enough for this far south. We'll see.
the_musicman
15 years ago
I love pushing zones.
Both ways. hahaha :)
Let me define my microclimate...
I live in North Tampa. The USDA says that my house sits exactly on the line between 9a/9b. I'm about 8 miles from Tampa Bay, and about 20 miles from the Gulf. This neighborhood sits among little hills and is dotted with lakes. I am two streets over from a decently-sized one. Elevation is about 45 feet here. We get 2-3 freezes each year.

Half my herb garden probably should not grow here. I've worked out a place with good filtered light that does not bake them or starve them.

My yearling Bodhi Tree survived last winter in the 20's without hardly a scratch. It is officially rated as hardy to zone 10b.

Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries like partial shade and do produce.

I have Clematis 'henryi' on an east-facing trellis. It has been doing well for two years, but looks stressed during the heat of summer.

We'll see how my new fruit trees do. Just this year I've planted Strawberry Guava, Sugar Apple, and Surinam Cherry. Growing here should be their northern limit.

Nature is fun to mess with sometimes :)
the_musicman
15 years ago
happy_fl,

I forgot olive trees! Thanks for reminding me!

I planted one of the 'Mission' variety back in March, in the ground on a little rise, so that it gets excellent drainage.
It would be wonderful if it ends up doing well here. Love olive trees :)
katkin_gw
15 years ago
I think aguga would count here for me. I brought it with me from NJ 12 years ago.

Pushing Your Zone

Comments (7)

fawnridge (Ricky)

junkyardgirl

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trini1trini

happy_fl_gardener; 9a, near DeLand

the_musicman

the_musicman

katkin_gw

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