Leucojum Hardiness, was New to Group
Rodger Whitlock (Mon, 03 May 2004 19:19:07 PDT)
On 30 Apr 04 at 10:52, Lee & Scott Gerow wrote:
Has anyone on this list been able to grow the Leucojums below.
I believe they are listed as zone 7.
I live in zone 5a/b and have a small micro climate provided by
the escarpment and the woods and water as a modifying factor.
Would appreciate any input please.
Leucojum autumnale
Leucojum autumnale var. oporanthum
Leucojum autumnale var. pulchellum
Leucojum nicaeense
Leucojum roseum
Of these, L. roseum is the most tender and will not survive very long
out of doors here. Even L. tingitanum from North Africa is hardier.
If you want to grow L. roseum out of doors, you need to move to
California.
L. nicaeense is on the tender side, but in a sheltered site with good
drainage, has survived for years here.
L. autumnale and its forms (not very distinct in my experience) are
quite hardy here. However, with its fall-emergent foliage, I suspect
it would not do well in a seriously cold winter climate. Still, seed
is easy to come by and easy to germinate, so it's worth a gamble.
--
Rodger Whitlock
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Maritime Zone 8, a cool Mediterranean climate
on beautiful Vancouver Island