Re: vestia
Isable Tipton wrote:
>
> At the UBC plant sale last weekend, I purchased a vestia , and can't
> find any info on it anywhere- I realize that it will take witchcraft to
> keep it through a zone 8 winter, but at least 2 in Victoria BC came
> through last winter- that of the monsoons! any help appreciated.
> Isabel
Dear Isabel
I have a large number of Vestia foetida which i grew from seed about
four years ago and have flowered for the first time this spring, here in
southern France in what I think of as being zone 8. Of fifteen plants
only one was seriously frozen this winter after temperatures of -5 to
-8°C together with the evil tramontane wind which is the curse of this
region. I am not at all sure of the relevance of the USDA classification
to European conditions, where 90 percent of Britain and France seem to
fall into zone 8, but I am favorably impressed with the performance of
Vestia and a relative, Cestrum auriantiacum(I think) which reaches three
metres against a wall with its profuse orange flowers in May.
Another shrub which may be worth a try is Sutherlandia frutescens from
South Africa with frost proof carmine flowers in late February to May.
--
Gordon Walker
Cat Bells
Chemin de Ferrals
11170 Villespy
France
