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Combat Zone Envy - Make Microclimates

© Carol Wallace

No matter where a gardener lives they always seem to think that people in other climate zones are better off that they are. Those people in cold climates envy the lush tropical plants that warm climate gardeners can grow so easily, while those in warm climates wash nostalgic about the lilacs and tulips they used to grow back up north. We somehow manage to live through these disappointments with fair good humor. The zone envy that really turns us green is that of the people one climate zone different that we are - so near, yet so far away.

That one zone difference can be a killer. We go to the nursery and see the most gorgeous plants - love at first sight. We know exactly where it would look wonderful in our yard. And then we check the care tag.

Instant gloom. It's hardy in the next country - but not in my yard. At least that's what most of us believe. I'm not so easily convinced. For one thing, I have gambled several times on plants that were supposedly a bit tender for my area and had them survive with flying colors. Often the plant really IS hardy in my climate zone - but not enough people have tried it and reported success with it to convince the experts.

That's what happened with my first hellebore. I had seen them in Europe, blooming on Christmas day. I HAD to have one. Back then they were not easy to find, but finally I saw one in the Winterthur catalog. Sadly, it was listed as being hardy only to zone 7. But I just HAD to have it.

My local nursery owner told me that I might possibly succeed with it if I planted it near the house, which would give it some shelter and also provide it with a little extra warmth from the house. I followed his advice - and now, ten years later that hellebore is a fine, strong plant that is blooming as I type this.

I guess a lot of other colder-climate people were as foolhardy as I was. The next thing I know that Helleborus niger was being rated as hardy to zone 4. All those cold climate gardeners who were growing it without problem can't be wrong

So if you see a plant that you really want, you can always gamble that the experts haven't really tested the limits of its cold hardiness. That's one way to help cure some cases of zone envy.