[Jaded]

I'm on the border of 9b/10a, so I can grow some zone 9 things, and a few zone 10's without protection. Some of the more tender zone 10 plants, I have to protect from cold, but most are o.k. It's too hot for some of the zone 9 stuff. I hate being in an inbetween place. Most of the big box stuff comes from places where it's either hotter or colder, so it's hard to acclimate them. I try to buy locally when I can.

 

[ravenmaniac]

I'm in zone 7. Sounds hard being in between zones. I wish I could have hibiscus and purple fountain grass survive the winter but it's not going to happen. I could bring my hibiscus inside but I don't have the room. Or should I say I've been too lazy to make room. I've heard that sometimes purple fountain grass can survive the winter in zone 7 but I've had no such luck. This year I'm going to try to cut them back (but not down to the ground) and wrap them in burlap. My husband hunts so we have some feed sacks that I can use to cover them. He reuses the sacks to get corn. Anyway, I'll see if that works. I may try taking small diggings from the grasses, plant them in a pot, and bring them inside. If the ones outside die, I'll have new ones to plant. I have already taken seeds from my zinnias, merigolds, greber daisies, coneflowers, and blackeyed susans. My wax begonias still look great so I make bring them inside. I'll also get some seeds from them. I can't wait to cut back my russian sage and lemon verbania. The branches dry out and smell so good. I love putting them in mason jars or hanging them in a room. Next year I hope to make another bed and add more varities of cone flower and dahlias. Maybe some hollyhocks and joe pye. (My wheels are always turning.) It takes some time figuring out what plants survive/thrive where in your garden but it is so worth it when you achieve your results. Plus it's fun! Oh, and don't forget to compost.

 

[mommymath]

Zone 5. A mile up which always makes everything tricky with weather.

I love the idea of drying russian sage -- I'll have to do that, too. Right now I have snow peas started, and they are doing well. I have to put in a bunch of tulip/daffodil bulbs -- our soil is so full of clay that it is quite a job.

 

[Jaded]

Purple fountain grass dies back down here as well. Have you tried cutting it back, surrounding it with some chicken wire, and piling about 2 feet of leaves or pine straw on it? That should make it safe. I used to have to do that to mine in SC, and also my Confederate Rose and hardy hibiscus. I was in zone 7 also, and on the western border of SC, so colder than some zone 7 locations.