When I've finally gotten years of growing in a Zone 5A climate down pat, pretty soon I'll be moving and changing more than just zones.. What grew in a Zone 5a will not grow in a 9b. For example. I love my hostas. My garden right now hosts more than 50 different cultivars of hostas. But, in a Zone 9B, hostas do not work. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think it's because they don't have a chance to sleep through a cold dark winter so any hosta that does (try) to grow in a 9b zone just looks sad. It never really amounts to anything amazing.
While recently away looking for another home, I did have the chance to explore some plant options in my new Zone that I think I'll love in my new garden. Number one being "Society Garlic".
Society Garlic is, so far, my favorite border plant. It is hardy in my soon to be new zone 9b. It's from the onion/garlic family; has a really happy purple flower and grows in clumps that are easy to divide. I just love this plant. Now if I wanted this last Zone 5a summer to include Society Garlic first I'd have to find it, which after visiting a dozen odd nurseries they all screwed up their nose when I asked for it. If however you do find it, it works great in the northern climates, BUT, it does have to come in for winter (like me).
Number two choice is: Angelona. This plant is just beautiful. It' is a native of Mexico and is suited to being drought tolerant which will work perfectly for me. This plant will be an absolute must for me in my new garden!
In my new garden there will be of course the typical bougainvillea bushes and mandevilla vines that we can actually purchase here in our Zone 5b nurseries. There are wonderful looking vines but my biggest problem still remains finding a sunny enough window in the winter time to have it survive indoors. It will do great in my new garden, never having to be dragged in doors for five months! during the cold of the 5B winters!
Last but not least the Pentas are absolutely going to be a staple in my garden. They come in lots of colors - pink, purple, red, white, lavender and hummingbirds and butterflies love them. They are super drought resistant and take little to no care. Perfect !
