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Penny Carnathan
Penny’s a Nurture And Hold (NAH): Nah, I won’t pull that out yet, it’s still got a green shoot. She likes dragonflies, lady bugs and new stuff only after weeding, pruning and fertilizing.
Kim Franke-Folstad
Kim’s a Want It Now (WIN): Everything pretty, everything now. She will resort to full-spectrum insecticides in desperate situations, and believes it’s her duty and right to buy new plants every weekend.
Both advocate Plant Choice (SOMEthing besides crotons. Please!), lots of color and low maintenance. We don’t agree on everything, but we’re smart enough to learn from each other - and from you.
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I’ve got all my love to give, and I’ll survive, I will survive
Posted Jan 9, 2010 by Loren Omoto
Updated Jan 10, 2010 at 04:13 AM
We gotta hand it to our super trooper plants, the ones who’ve been shaking off the cold all week.
(Although I’ve noticed, if you live in South Tampa or on the water, you can’t really relate to the angst the rest of us are experiencing. I’m happy for you! Truly. And let me just say, I may be in Tampa’s worst microclimate, but I have quick access to the airport and the Veteran’s Expressway. and those are good year-rouund, barring construction issues. Which are, pretty much, year-round.)
Our Dirty gardeners had a good idea: Let’s share the toughies that have survived the cold. It’s a tribute, some consolation, and good to keep in mind for the future.
Granted, everyone’s got a different situation, so I would bombard FOD Janice Vogt (sorry, Janice), who shared these survivors, with questions about where these plants were located. How close to the house? In a lanai? Out in the open?
After a week of freeze, here’s her survivors:
I also have Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana. And mine, too, has done well all week out on the patio. I brought it inside last night, though. I’m worried about the hard freeze ahead. (Mine has hot-pink blooms. Gorgeous!)
Another kalanchoe! I’ve been covering my two flapjacks, in-the-ground plants. They’e looking a alot sadder than this one.
Yellow milkweed! Who would’ve guessed it was a toughie! The butterflies will be very happy if it makes it through the weekend.
Janice’s Vietnamese hollyhocks proved their stuff through the freezes last year, and they’re doing it again. The seeds are hard to find, so if you love hollyhocks, you should come to the Dirty Dirty Swap on Jan. 17. (More to come on that.) These aren’t blossoming, but they’e so worth the wait. Great big pink flowers on spikes. Gorgeous!
Last, the Chinese rain bells Janice bought just a few weeks ago. I thought they were salvias when I saw the picture (and, for the record, my salvias are great survivors)
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Reader Comments
Posted by (Chip) on January 09, 2010
I hope all of these plant are indoors tonight or covered up. I have done all I can do. the outside cats have gotten used to me and they seem happy with the tent city I have put up, feeding them every time I go outside helps. Good luck every one tonight it isn’t due to warm up until Tuesday may be then we can see what has lived….“Chip”
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on January 10, 2010
My kalanchoes aren’t flowering and certainly don’t like the cold over here in East Hillsborough so they are shoved back away from the screen on the lanai closer to the house after the edges got a tad mushy before I moved them.
I have 3 of Janice’s hollyhocks I planted from her seeds. The flowers that bloomed don’t look too hot but the plant itself is a proven winner. Farmer Rick should look into this one.
The milkweeds didn’t do too well but those things show up everywhere so I’m not too worried about it. I’m intrigued by the chinese rain bells. So cute and after all this cold we are looking at the survivors with lust.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on January 10, 2010
Are the lizards frozen or asleep and look frozen? Do you need a photo to decide? Pumpkin
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on January 10, 2010
My friend just send me an email that she ordered this book for me. Yea!!!
Posted by (Janna) on January 10, 2010
Glad you have some survivors, Pumpkin! Those hollyhocks are troopers - mine are about the only thing that still looks good! As for the lizards, not sure - my daughter came in the other day and told me she spotted a “frogsicle” in the back yard.
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on January 10, 2010
Penny, Yes the Gin and Tonic book.
Farmer Rick told us he was working on Red and white Hollyhocks,I hope so.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on January 10, 2010
Red and white together or separately? Either way I want to be one of the first in line for those. Go Farmer Rick. Now that we know they don’t mind the cold, exactly how do they do in the heat? I started mine in the ground in July. I believe and they did really well. Well enough to make it to the winter. Is it one of those year round plants you can depend on?
Posted by (Iluvpumpkins) on January 10, 2010
Yes the Hollyhocks did do well in the summer. I have mine in full sun facing south.
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on January 10, 2010
Janice, do the hollyhocks flower all year or only in the colder months?
Posted by (Susan Gillespie) on January 10, 2010
Penny, I never thought of the kalanchoes as a succulent. But now that I think about it they are pretty fleshy. I’ll fertilize a little more and see what I get.
Posted by (Chip) on January 11, 2010
brrrrr! It is just to cold 21 deg. the out side cats are going to eat me out of house and home. I didn’t plan on feeding a herd of cats but there they were making my tent city home. I hope by feeding them they will not tear up any plants. Diane was very happy you found Garden Secrets our copy is about to fall apart it is our go to book for looking up companions , pests, and general plant care. I bet Rick and his fellow farmer’s are gearing up there is going to be a lot plant’s that are going to be in need of replacement. looking forward to seeing everyone next weekend….“Chip”