Re: salvia searching/hummers and FROST

Loretta,

I would think that your Meyer lemon would be okay
outside if you can move it under an overhang against
the house or below one of your Live Oaks.  I am
assuming that it is in a pot which can be moved.  If
it is too big to move, cover it with a tarp and maybe
string some christmas tree lights, which in
combination will keep it above freezing, with maybe
just minor foliage burn where the tarp touches
foliage.  I have been experimenting with floating row
cover fabric for freeze protection, and expect that it
will give me 3 to 5 degreesF of freeze protection, and
can be left on the plants for weeks at a time, as it
admits light.  I haven't had an opportunity to use it
yet, as it hasn't gotten below 40F here at my garden,
but to me, that is already way colder than I prefer! 
If you are bringing it indoors, bright as possible
light is what it needs to stay happy.  Northern
Europeans use citrus also, and  bring inside into
greenhouses or sunny sunporches, for the winter.  

As to Brugmansia, if you are already down to mid-20'sF
at night, this plant may have to be considered as a
returning perennial for you.  The woody trunks might
survive a night or two of these temps, but regular
frost/freezes are not to its liking.  Many Brugmansia
did return from the roots after the 1990 freeze, but
slowly, sometimes not until June or July.  This plant
is super easy from cuttings, and will root in water. 
Maybe starting the plant anew each spring is the
better approach given your location.

As to Alstromeria, this plant may have the foliage
freeze, but will return from the roots next spring. 
It also depends on which Alstromeria, but I am
assuming you are talking about the evergreen hybrids,
and not A.  'Ligtu Hybrids', A. aurantiaca or A.
pulchella, which is the hardiest of the group, and
also quite different in appearance, being red and
chartreuse in flower.


- loretta gerity jacobs <lorettagerity@home.com>
wrote:
>
> BTW, we had our 1st frost last night, and is
> expected to go even
> lower tonight. (It's supposed to be mid 20's). I've
> brought
> inside my Cyms, and a coleus.
> What should I do about my Meyer Lemon? Alstromeria?
> Will my
> Datura die if left out, or just die back? I can't
> remember what I
> did last year. It seems like I had the Meyer in the
> house a lot,
> and it screwed up the blooming cycle.

> 


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