Re: Zones
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Zones
- From: E* <E*@aol.com>
- Date: Mon, 29 Dec 1997 11:48:56 -0700 (MST)
In a message dated 97-12-29 13:33:52 EST, you write:
<< Subj: Re: Zones
Date: 97-12-29 13:33:52 EST
From: ECPep
To: iris-l@rt66.com
In a message dated 97-12-29 11:40:58 EST, you write:
<< These zones are related to average minimum temperatures in that area, &
thus give an idea of what plants will be winter hardy there (though you
probably already have a pretty good idea of what will, and won't, grow).
Sincerely,
Kathy Haggstrom
Anchorage, AK
Zone 3
hagg@alaska. >>
Kathy and group,
This is message 2, Mitizie the cat sent off the first while I was still
typing. Sorry.
Another interesting aspect of zone is length of frost free growing season.
We are shown geographically in zone 5. Our altitude and mountainous location
reduce us to zone 4. We have frosts later than zone 5 in spring and are all
done here by the middle of September. (Sometimes we have a frost free Sept.
but not often)
The effect of this shorter season on many plants is that they cannot make
enough root growth or in some bulbs top growth to complete a full growth
cycle. There are fruit trees that do not fruit in zone 4 as there are no bees
when they manage a few blossoms, etc. Late blooming species (any species) are
cut down before they bloom. Attaining height on shrubs and trees takes longer
than an warmer zone as they have less time to work at it. Another example is
the catalog term "with protection". I can keep a few of the Japanese maples
if I can protect them until they form bark. Green shoots are killed.
Remontancy in roses is not a zone 4 happening. All of this is why some of us
are growing irises in pots!
It has been my experience that the degree of temperature is not as important
as the frost free season length.
Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4 - Berkshire area
