Re: Warm Greetings from Cold Vermont

Hello George,
    Hardiness is a "hot" topic this winter. We had mild winters here for the
past 5 years. Suppose we have all been "forgetting" what can and usually
(eventually) does happen in winter here. Every 5th year or so we drop into
definite zone 5 temps. I have had two cultivars of Arum italicum growing in
my garden form probably 12 years minimum now. It has been through -30
degrees, several -20's one winter. If the foliage has now snow cover, it
gets beat up, but first warming new leaves form to take their place. I keep
meaning to play with some of the other species and cultivars...
    I just saw a report on successful growing of Cyclamen hed. in zone 3 on
the trillium list serve. Mine has been through the same temps as reported
above for the arum. Many of the cyclamen species are reported to be much
more hardy that thought or written about. There is one way to find out in
your garden.....
    Only way you will really know,
    Gene E. Bush
Munchkin Nursery & Gardens, llc
www.munchkinnursery.com
genebush@munchkinnursery.com
Zone 6/5  Southern Indiana
----- Original Message -----
> Hello shade gardeners! 3 below zero here in Marshfield with a guarantee
> of 10 below by morning. We've been at less than 32 degrees since New
> Years Day. We are used to this but I know that 10 above in Georgia is
> not welcomed. Today in 1857 it was 38 below and the high for the day
> reached -17. You see, we are making progress!
>
> In recent years we have seen many reports of people pushing the zone
> limits and being very successful with plants that just weren't supposed
> to survive. I'm wondering if there are any stories out there of plants
> that have been successful in zones 4 or 3 that were billed as 5 or
> above? Each year I want to give the Arum italicum a try in my lower
> shade garden. I never want to  part with $15 to try a few but really
> should. Same holds true with some of the Cyclamens--hederofolium may be
> the name of one. I'm not familiar with any but do enjoy seeing their
> pictures in catalogs. If they were successful here I'd want
> hundreds.....a dream.
>
> So, on a cold night in lots of places, any thoughts on pushing the
> limits? Perhaps instances where the original zone classification was
> clearly wrong?
>
> George Africa
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