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Re: Araucaria heterophylla

On Mon, 06 Apr 1998 Val Dennison wrote:

>During a recent visit to Sorrento, Italy,  I saw wonderful Araucaria
>heterophylla growing in the gardens of villas. What a marvellous silhouette
>these trees make. Thus enthused, I wondered if I could grow one here in the
>West of Ireland, outside in the garden. I am a little apprehensive as to the
>Winter temperatures. The lowest I have recorded this Winter in my garden is 
>- 4 degrees.( that is minus four). 
>Has anyone any experience of growing Araucaria heterophylla at these sort of
>temps?  I have a small plant which I can experiment with but oh! those
>wonderful shapes in Sorentto, I would love to succeed with a tree outside.

Val, I grew this species of Araucaria in my last garden here in
Torquay.  It was planted in a wind-sheltered, sunny spot and grew well
for the 8 years before I moved.  It had to endure a minimum winter
temperature of minus 5C on several occasions, although at no stage did
the freezing last for more than a couple of hours.  

I tend to think of it as being rather less hardy than Cupressus
cashmirana and funebris, but well worth a try in sheltered spots in
south western areas.   Winter temperatures in Sorrento are slightly
higher than in Ireland and the s.w. of the UK., but I see no reason
for Araucaria heterophylla not to survive if it is given protection
during its early stages.

David Poole
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