Has anyone had success growing these in South Georgia. Mine have struggled through the winter and have come back very small. Any suggestions, ideas?

I had them when I lived in Warner Robins. They were put in by a nursery, so I thought they were appropriate and would be fine; no such luck. I don't know if it was the heat or the rain, but they got crown rot near the end of the first year. I treated it and reduced the foliage so air could circulate. They came back smaller the next year and died that summer. I now live outside of Atlanta, they are supposed to grow well here in zone 7, but the deer eat them. I would not waste a lot of time and or money on them which is sad to say because they are native plants.

I have never had luck with these in central AL, I finally wised up and let them go.

I also don't have luck with them in East Central GA. I had one last two-ish years, but it would return each Spring smaller than the year before.

The others died from what almost resembled crown rot, but we had a drought one year, so that seems... odd. Others were eaten back by slugs and never recovered.

Hmm, I've never seen any since moving to AL (from OH.) They were a big deal up there. Similar appearance can be achieved using Coleus, Begonias, Alternantheras, but none of these are likely to survive winter either, for the opposite reason.

purpleinopp said:Hmm, I've never seen any since moving to AL (from OH.) They were a big deal up there. Similar appearance can be achieved using Coleus, Begonias, Alternantheras, but none of these are likely to survive winter either, for the opposite reason.

I wonder if they're like peonies and it's just too warm here.

That's what it sounds like. There are a surprising number of plants that were so commonplace to me in OH that are just not around in AL.

purpleinopp said:That's what it sounds like. There are a surprising number of plants that were so commonplace to me in OH that are just not around in AL.

I never asked you, but do you find gardening in the South easier or more difficult than when you were in Ohio? My MIL is originally from MN and she swears her flowers did better up North (I've lived in the South all of my life, so I don't know any different, lol).

Man, interesting question! The differences are so vast... but concentrating on "easier" there's still several answers. In regard to my wild never-ending dreams about putting tropical plants in the ground for at least most of the year to pretend I live in a tropical place, yes, south is easier. In regard to being attacked by ants and mosquitoes, south is more difficult. In regard to being able to take a break for 5-6 months, south is more difficult. In regard to finding all of the already-bagged leaves your time and vehicle will let you drag home, south is more difficult. In regard to finding a wide variety of perennial landscape plants, south is more difficult. In regard to keeping things looking nice over summer, south is more difficult, just too flippin' hot to do anything but find a way to cool off.

I'm not a good one to ask about flowers though. Hardly any of the plants I bring home are because of the blooms. It's the foliage that I'm really into. Plants that are otherwise boring except when blooming just make me anxious. With enough wild foliage, I've had many people say, "I love your flowers" when there's not an actual bloom on the place.

Thank you for the detailed answer, I can relate to all of that. Plus chiggers and ticks with our pine straw.

I guess that would be a difference. I think all my MIL plants is flowers, not necessarily foliage plants. I imagine their needs do vary.

Gardened in the tri state (De), south
(So Fl) west(so cal) and now the upper Midwest (Mn). It always gets down to the right plant for the right spot. Enjoyed SoCal the most

What did I see @ either HD or L's this weekend in Mary Esther, FL? (Sorry I don't remember which, it feels exactly the same to enter both through the garden area, and not go inside at all.) Heuchera! Gorgeous ones with really purple leaves. I don't know if that has any bearing on ability to survive where sold... I resisted but it was hard. They were decent size but still a little pricey, the deciding factor for me for plants of questionable abilities. If I was confident it had a good chance, I would have gotten one. Really purple leaves!

For what it's worth, I have tried many different Heuchera but only two cultivars return reliably for me- "Caramel", and "Mocha" . I collected and planted some "Mocha" seeds and got some chartreuse, mid-green, and purplish progeny that also survive and thrive. Tiarellas that I grew from seed received in trade grow well too. I live just outside Birmingham, AL, in zone 8a.
Susan