Our winters are drier than coastal Californian winters. We normally get our rains spread out throughout the year with heavier fall and May/june rains. It can rain any time or not at all. Mostly it is zone 9. The lowest it got last year was was 26 degrees. We are also very warm with an occasional sharp swing down for three days. Our normal lows are in the 40's in December and January with a occasion arctic blast that could take us down to 19 but hasn't for several years. I am still experiencing lows in the 60's. Our rainfall can vary from 34" to 11" per year. When it is really cold it is very dry. I have studied Daves Garden , Arid lands and San Marcus growers hardiness estimates and that is why I am taking a chance. I live in the uplands of the area and drainage is almost too much. Many plants live on my land that do not reside downhill. It is also colder downhill. I have many Zone 9 plants living unprotected. I have a gorge that starts on my property that drains off the cold and deposits it 4 miles away in a friends backyard. She can be 24 degrees and I will be above freezing still. She is at 700' above sea level and I am at 1400'. I guess it is all about micro climates. I am still figuring this one out. I hear about the popularity of Aloes in Californian landscaping and Texas seems similar in some respects but lags far behind in testing these plants out. I am only now figuring out how Californian winters and summers differ from mine and trying to make judgements about plants that would or would not work here.. I have some friends in and around California and this year I have been following their weather on Weatherunderground and comparing highs and lows with me. Yes, I am obsessive. I do have freeze cloths. They do work wonders. I guess I am one to take chances.

If the plant is healthy and large enough, you can take a cutting right now. The weather is warm and most plants are in their new growth cycle, which is the perfect time for propagation. My rule of thumb for cuttings (of course every plant is different) is that you need at least 12" of the plant. It generally works for me, But I'm sure someone on here who is an expert on pentas or crotons will be able to answer your question specifically. good luck!

Roots easily from mature-wood cuttings, or by air layering or simple layering. I'm just a zone too cold for this but friends in southern Delaware grew it. This post was edited by geoforce on Sun, Jun 1, 14 at 7:54

Daffodil bulbs can be lifted, separated from the dirt and allowed to dry for storage in a cool place. I did that when I moved and they were fine. That is the only bulb that I am familiar with.