Best of the Hardiest
Have you ever had to choose between several attractive cultivars of one plant, and wished you knew which one was the hardiest? Me, too. That’s why I’ve created this page. Every time I find out about the hardiest cultivar or species of a plant, I’ll put the information here. I expect lots of help from the reading public here! You don’t have to have grown it yourself if you can cite your source of information. (This was originally called Name That Plant!)
| Botanical Name | Common Name | Hardy to zone | Source/Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arisaema amurense subsp robustum, green form | none–it’s an Asian relative of Jack-in-the-Pulpit | 3 | Original source out of business. However, while it makes it through the winter in my garden, it emerges too early and I have to protect it from early frosts. |
| Caryopteris X clandonensis ‘Arthur Simmonds’ | 5 | Forestfarm | |
| Cotinus coggyria ‘Nordine Red’ | ‘Nordine Red’ purple-leaved smokebush | 5 | “I have planted Cotinus in several locations and have planted both Purple Smoke Bush varieties. I have found that all may die back to ground in harsh winters and ‘Nordine’ is weaker than the standard form. The nice thing about the dieback is that new growth always has more brilliant leaf color. There probably won’t be any flowers but I grow it for the foliage anyway. By the way, we have one huge Cotinus in Oneonta in the yard of the public library (not purple) that looks like a spot of fog in the lawn when it is in full bloom. Spectacular.”–Penny K. See also my experience here. |
| Clematis ‘Prairie Traveller’s Joy’ | 1 | “I have been growing this ironclad hardy huge (15′ tall ) white clematis in Edmonton, Alberta for years now. The late summer blooms are the size of a quarter, and have a lovely light almondy scent. …You can also easily take shoots from the bottom for new plants.”–Pamela M. Source: Rundle |
Men with trucks do not see new plantings when reversing or unloading, so trees must wait [to be planted] until all hard landscaping is done.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
What a lovely site! I live in a high altitude, cold, snowy, windy area of Arizona. Our average late frost is the first week of June and the first frost is in October. That said, my husband and I have managed to grow over 70 varieties of fruits and veggies over the last 9 years. I now would love to start a fruit and nut orchard. But with the wind speeds of between 20 and 60 miles an hour so many days a year (pretty much October till June), I have been told we cannot grow fruit trees and absolutely NO nut trees. Well, I’m determined. So, do you have any suggestions for a very cold hardy girl?
Ruthy, I don’t live in a high wind area, so I have no experience to share with you. Maybe one of our other readers can help you. I’m sure you’ve already considered planting windbreaks.
I live in Burns, Oregon, which is very cold with a short growing period. I am planning to start a vegetable garden this spring and I have no idea what or how to get started. I have been told to use raised beds for proper drainage. I will plant whatever will grow here and eat it.
Hello Lisa. Find a spot that will get at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Raised beds can help with drainage, but also allow the soil to warm up faster so you may be able to plant in the ground earlier. I live in Upstate NY and here have a shortish growing season as well. Many of my friends plant seedlings so they have mature plants to take advantage of the growing season. I would recommend this. Don’t buy from a big box store, but from a local who knows about your area. Also take with someone at your county Cooperative Extension office. They will love to give you great local resources. Have fun and good eating.
Spencer´s last [type] ..In the Ground
i’ve read about cold climate fruit juices being helpfull in combating arthritis. could you tell me what cold climate fruits would be?
thank you
dee
It took 8 different varieties of Rose bush to find the one that bloomed from Spring to December for the Gulf Coast. I am back in NYS, Zone 8a, and hoping someone has a recommendation on a no fuss Rose bush. Thanks.
You said you are back in NYS, zone 8a, but more likely you are in zones 6a,6b, 5, 4 etc…If you need help with selecting roses I can help.
Plant Information Service Specialist at The New York Botanical Garden
cold weather garden I am considering relocating to a colder clime (UP of Michigan) and I have never gardened further north than Wichita, KS so am wondering if I can have a koi pond if I run the heater (I do this now to keep a spot open in in the ice) and what plants do well.. I love iris, daylilies, peonies, shrub roses, daffodils, japanese maple, bee balm, phlox, clematis, hosta, etc. all of which I have now. not finding much information with my first quick search. Anyone have any comments or help for me with a web site reference? Thanks in advance for your time.
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