Wishful Thinking?

[zuzu's petals]

Although the map actually includes my area in zone 7b,
in my 22+ years of living and gardening on this coastal island,
I could easily count the number of times that the temperatures here have actually
dipped below the 15°F which defines the lower end of zone 8b.

Situated, as we are, between two bodies of water (the Atlantic and the ICW)
it seems that this small area is nestled in a warmer micro-climate.
Most winters, I'd definitely say that my garden is in zone 8b,
but, just occasionally, we do get a short snap of 8a/7b weather.
Rare as it is, when this does happen, the plants and I are NOT amused!

I love sub-tropical plants and gardens with a jungle-esque look and feel,
so I'm always pushing the envelope to see what unlikely plant will surprise me with it's will to survive "out-of-zone".

This year's biggest surprise has been a Begonia aconitifolia,
which I planted into the ginger bed last summer. I certainly did not expect it to survive ...
and yet, I'm very happy to report, I see small canes beginning to break ground amongst last year's stubs.

[Pushin-up-Daisies]

zuzu u r an incredible gardener, u'r plants are all so nice & healthy, give us ur secret. [Automated by GetSmile]