Pushing The Limits in Central Florida (9A)

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Hi all,

Central Florida (9A) Zone and
pushing limits. Just received my shipment from The Hosta Farm and
planted. Of course in "pots". I have read and read
and hopefully learned from other growers in Florida. 2 were shipped as
bare root and already showing PIPs after 3 days. Wish me luck.

Jackie

Featured Answer

mary52zn8tx

9 years ago

Hi, I haven't been posting lately, but I live in Central Texas. I have been growing hostas for about ten years. Dancing in the Rain was one of the first ones I tried to grow. It didn't make it, but I have had good luck with American Sweetheart. It is one of the first ones up, it holds its center, and it grows well. I wish it had a little bit thicker leaves so the snails and slugs didn't chew it, but I really like it. Night before Christmas grows well, too but it darkens in the center some in the heat. This is AS surrounded by NBC.

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Comments (13)

santamiller
9 years ago
I am in 8b (South Central Texas) and was really concerned when I got my first two plants in 2012, one of those being Guacamole. In fact as I had not found this forum at that time I actually doubted that they would survive longterm. Those are still with me today along with 30-something more. Good luck and keep us posted, especially through July, August and Sept. The South's gonna rise in hosta land!
josephines167 z5 ON Canada
9 years ago
Welcome to the Hosta forum, Jackie! That's a lovely collection you have there...and among them a couple of Fragrants too! Don't forget to smell the flowers of Guacamole (I have one) in summertime!
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bkay2000
9 years ago
Good Luck, Jhanifan and welcome.

Some things will do better for us in the warmer areas than others. White Feather and Andrew could be difficult for you, but there are hundreds that will do well for you. (At least I have a hard time with white middles.)

Keep us posted.

bk
santamiller
9 years ago
Ditto with bk. My only loss so far as been one with a white center and a second one barely pulled through but has come back nicely this spring. I don't know if it's just the sun or the sun and the heat, but once I moved mine to where it gets 100% shade the dieback stopped. We'll see what happens this year.
jhanifan
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you all for the welcome and all the advice you guys have offered on this thread and forum. Yes, I am a little skeptical of Andrew White Feather making it here. I am glad they are in the same pot for now so I can move them to full shade. I will keep my eye on them. If I lose them, I lose them, lesson learned. :).
Babka NorCal 9b
9 years ago
Go for it! I'm in 9b and have been playing with hostas since the late 90's. If you lose some, well that happens. Up North, they get gofers, deer, frost heaves and diseases and lose some of their too. Sometimes there are just dud plants and sometimes they die, well, just "because". The most expensive usually go first. ;-) Welcome and have fun!

-Babka
bkay2000
9 years ago
Hey, Mary.

Yes, NBC does well for me, too.

bk
santamiller
9 years ago
Very nice, Mary. Where in Central Texas do you live?
mary52zn8tx
9 years ago
Santamiller, I am in Clifton about 36 miles west of Waco. I tried to answer this on my iphone, but never could figure out how to submit it.
santamiller
9 years ago
Can't say I've ever graced that side of I35. The closest I have come is Waco. I have driven through Waco to and from San Antonio/ Dallas and San Antonio/East Texas a few hundred times over the last 35+ years.
ilovetogrow z9 Jax Florida
9 years ago
Yea I am glad to have a hosta neighbor. I am from Jax and have been growing hostas for 5 years now and loving it. I seems that I have somewhere in the market of 350 plants now. You have started off with a good collection. Remember to keep them watered and make do no repotting after the 4th of July. If you are ever in Jax let me know. I would love to give a tour.
jhanifan
Original Author
9 years ago
Good morning ilovetogrow - I am in Lakeland. If I get up your way, I will definitely reach out to you. I would love to tour your collection. I do not have enough room to have as many Hostas as you do. :(.

Pushing The Limits in Central Florida (9A)

mary52zn8tx

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santamiller

josephines167 z5 ON Canada

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