Re: PLANT HARDINESS

This is a subject related to another topic that was discussed here several months ago and also was very popular in responses: what's a mediterranean climate? Of all the replies I think the conclusion was that it is a very broad concept. In my opinion, the same could be said about mediterranean plants hardiness (and many other plants too). As Tim has already mentioned, the lack of summer heat is usually factor number one in mediterranean plant cultivation, more so than winter cold. Many Northern Europeans and Northeastern US citizens would be amazed by the cold hardiness of many mediterranean plants given the right conditions of soil and summer heat. Very rich, moisture retentive organic soils can also be a problem in places with humid summers, conditions that seem to make mediterranean plants very vulnerable to fungal wilts that cause the "sudden death" of the plant, as well as resulting in a less cold hardy individual.
 
In the case of Nerium oleander, it is most likely the lack of summer heat what makes it difficult to grow it in Sussex. In northern Madrid where I live, the lows in the winter are of about - 10 º C (14 ºF) consistently every year. Highs in the summer are of about 32 ºC (90 ºF) with a two/three month drought. In these conditions Oleanders seem to do well and flower abundantly. Only some leaf damage in the winter, or some branch die-back in the coldest years, but with vigorous regrowth.
 
As of Oleanders liking it dry in summer, my experience here in central Spain is that they do much better (nicer foliage, prolongued flowering period) if provided with proper amount of water in the hotest part of the summer. Old stablished plants tolerate drought, but they become leggy and with sparse foliage. Young plants may very well die if not watered consistently during the first 3 summers after planting.
 
About having central heating in Umbria, I don't know that area myself, but I live in zone 7b/8a and it would be very tough to go through the winter with just a fireplace: dealing with temperatures around 2 or 3 ºC inside the house (many times lower, with the problems that would cause in the water installation of the house) is very unpleasant, even for someone from Northern or Central Europe I would think.
 
Fran
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 12:31 PM
Subject: PLANT HARDINESS

Dear All

I have recently joined the MGS and this forum and have a question.

My wife and I live in East Sussex in England but have just bought a house in Italy.

It is 650m above sea level and 5km north of Lake Bolsena in Umbria

Our builders tell us that it is very cold in winter and we will need to have a good heating system.

When I asked if that meant we couldn’t grow plants such as Oleander (Nerium) they said “Oh no, they will grow fine here”.

But, we can’t grow Oleander in rural Sussex (I’ve seen it outside in London recently).

So my question is are the builders right or wrong or is it just that Italians feel the cold more?!

 

Peter

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