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Re: Mike & George

Message from George in Bandon Oregon

Jim, yes, of course there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to the question, "how do we know if a plant REALLY is hardy here (wherever "here" is) AND what are the most important factors that may have most influence in hardiness (or lack of same)?"

part of the problem may be that along with all the possible climatic, environmental, and cultural practices both in and beyond our control there is perhaps also the question of what "hardiness" really means.

a case could be made for a number of definitions from the plant is hardy (with normal care) in all reasonable situations and conditions at any stage of it's life.

OR

it's hardy as a mature plant with special siting/favorable microclimates but may suffer in some way (especially in very cold winters)in exposed situations as a young/newly planted specimen.

OR

it's hardy in most winters in most situations but may suffer varying degrees of damage in really severe winters

OR

it may be damaged or killed back to the ground in the worst winter (or every winter, sometimes with some plants) BUT it "always" comes back and is back to normal within one or two growing seasons

OR

something else, LOL!!!

your "mileage may vary" on this but ultimately most any of those scenarios and definitions can only be found by actually planting a particular plant in a particular place, giving it reasonable care and then seeing how things go over time. the experts recommendations and cautions may or may not have relevance to what actually happens---some very huge trees grow in my area that the "sunset western garden book" does NOT recommend for our area!!! nothing ventured nothing gained and sometime even "temporary" successes (sometimes lasting years) can give both knowledge and pleasure.


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