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Re: Oleanders in Virginia Beach

Matt wrote:
> We seldom get our "average" minimum temperatures here in northeastern
>North Carolina/southeastern Virginia. A number of us grow plants that are
>"hardy most years".
> 3 winters ago, when most of the USA recieved lower than normal winter
>temps, the oleanders were mostly frozen to the ground. They came back from
>the roots just fine though. Norfolk Botanical Garden uses them extensively
>along several of their canals.

I never manage to get to Norfolk Botanical gardens during my all to
brief stay which is more the pity in view of what I've heard - maybe
when I'm in Richmond next spring.

> During one week, the low was 13, but the days "high" was only 27. We
>normally never stay below freezing for more than a few hours at night.
> Japanese fatsia, the hardiest red, pink, and white oleanders, a few
>eucalyptis, windmill, needle and sable minor palms, all do well here. They
>are normally planted in semiprotected areas.

I was greatly spurred on by seeing these plantings.  The lowest
temperatures I've ever experienced in the 10 years in my current
garden is minus 2C (approx 28-29F) for an hour or two during the
winter of 96-97.  I noticed that many of the palmettos in hotel
grounds at VA Beach, were 'lagged' against cold although during my
stay, someone turned the furnace up and it rose from 28F to 86F in a
matter of hours and stayed there for over a week.  The palmettos were
uncovered and looked rather sad initially.  I suspect it does not take
them long to 'perk up'.    I noticed that your 'windmill' palms get
easily as much wind damage if not more, than those over here.   I
prefer to use the Canary Island Date - Phoenix canariensis, which
appears to be considerably more wind tolerant especially near the sea,
but I suspect it would not appreciate long exposure beyond minus 5C
for very long.

David Poole
Torquay UK
USDA zone 10 ... but with a sun & heat zone rating of no greater than
Seattle!
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