Luckily, I had my plant spreadsheet open, this is the one I am going to try to plant this year: http://www.rarefindnursery.com/index.php/trees-shrubs/magnolia/magnolia-frosty-pale-purple.html OK, if you were in Denmark or Poland I might say forget it, but if you really are in a 8a borderline 7b location in SE Europe, with fairly hot summers, I would say, yes, try one. Try to give it a position sheltered from north winds, but also protected from morning sunlight in winter. By 'try one', I mean the hardiest clone of it you can find. Later in spring I will probably post a picture of the damage to my M. skinneriana after 0F. It was not really a cold winter per se here, but we had a terrible cold spell in January. The first week of January was the coldest first week in Baltimore ever recorded, since 1871. I am not sure how much of the top will be able to regrow, most of the leaves are definitely brown now. Amazingly, without fertilization, the top had almost regrown to 2m/6.5 ft. after the polar vortex winter killed it to the ground. Took just 2 good, wet growing seasons. I see the same fast regrowth with M. dianica...but...again, most normal people don't want something in their garden that is looking damaged so often. So I wouldn't recommend these shrubs as standard garden material around here.

I'm growing quite a few Phyllostachys species in western NY zone 6a. Thes guys have been in the ground for about 5-6 years and are forming nice groves from 8 to 12 foot tall and 1/2 to 3/4" diameter canes: P. rubromarginata P. atrovaginata P. aureosulcata 'spectabilis' P. nuda P. nigra 'henon' The following were planted only a year ago and are just getting established: P. decora P. dulcis P. parvifolia P. bissetii These two are still potted and will be planted in the ground this upcoming spring: P. kwangsiensis P. propinqua 'Beijing' I'm also growing these other 'boo species: Arundinaria gigantea Fargesia muriellae Fargesia 'scabrida' So far the rubro has been the fastest to size up and spread for me; it also produces the most canes. The spectabilis is starting to catch up to the rubro in size and spread. Out of my established plants, the nuda and henon seem to suffer the most winter damage/die-back. Last winter was great, I had little to no winter damage at all resulting in beautiful bamboos this summer!

Hi BP, It's a bit late for a replay, but I think you cann well try growing this plant. Older rhizomes can sit very deeply in the soil, and maybeif you protected it with mulch I'd say it's well worth a try. Those guys are hardier than one would think - if you're in doubt ask Kristl Walek from gardensnorth.com, she grew this plant in a very cold Canadian garden. Kind regards & happy gardening, Mickeymuc

Actually, Araucaria araucana (monkey puzzle) have a problem with both severe cold and "long, hot, steamy summers". They really prefer life on the cool side. Think Pacific northwest. Think Seattle. I am in a zone 7 and this winter has been fairly mild. Still, I have noticed a strong degree of burning (more for those areas exposed to sun--less on shaded areas of the plant). Mine may recuperate. I am assuming the damage was cold related, and was a bit surprised by the burning because I have read that they can take a zone 7. I did NOT protect it at all and this was its first year in the ground. If it does not make it, I will not try it again. Worrying about winter is bad enough, but with this one I would have to worry about high heat (day and night) in the summer as well. I really would not chance it in a zone 6. Good luck!