Re: zone 7 plants in zone 4

I think in a lot of cases the plants really are only as hardy as the
catalog, book, or whatever says, but because of the variables, the plants
are able to survive in harsher winter areas. If you mulch, you're already
doing some good, for instance. Then if you live in an area with good snow
cover, there's another bonus. If your plants are in a more sheltered area
than average, there's more protection. Plus, each winter is different--some
will be colder, wetter, or whatever, and all of these winter factors matter.
On top of that, you need to take into account the previous growing season.
If the plants were stressed from drought,  heat, or whatever, they're not
going to be able to withstand the same conditions that plants that weren't
stressed. There's a ton of other variables that determine survivability
besides temperature. Hardiness isn't just a Zone number, and I think many
gardeners forget that from time to time. (I'm certainly not implying you,
though, Gail!)

(Sorry for the ranting; this is one of those topics I can rattle on for WAY
too long about!)

--Justin
Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA
Zone 4a

-----Original Message-----
From: Gail Korn [g*@BLOOMNET.COM]
Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2000 6:15 PM
To: shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
Subject: Re: [SG] zone 7 plants in zone 4


At 11:49 AM 2/15/00 -0500, you wrote:
I wonder if part of this issue is that some writers of catalogs, books, and
articles actually do not know the zone limits for plants.  I've seen Zone 7
for more than one plant that I've grown in Zone 4 time and again.  The
author usually lives in Zone 7.  I'm often tempted to write and tell those
people, but I just don't get it done.

Gail Korn
Wayne, Ne. Zone 4
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