Wow, snow? I wouldn't think it's going to like that too much. I'm in zone 9 and we see snow every 50 years, maybe! We might have to adjust your zone a little, Rosebud!

I have a question about drought tolerance and this plant - I put it in at a very bad time this year, right before our blast furnace summer. The plant is still with me, despite some pretty severe wilt on some incredibly hot days. We're a lot cooler now, but I'm still seeing it wilt after a few days without water. Am I still dealing with it getting established or is this just not going make it here without constant water?

Thanks in advance!

Sheryl, I've heard conflicting reports on this. Some have said that they are suitable for xeriscaping, and others have said they prefer moist soil conditions.
I've had one in a container for just a couple of months now, and I think I may fall into the camp of … Prefers not to dry completely? I can't really see this falling into the xeriscape family… Unless maybe a very well established tree? I do know that mine is responding very well with watering (thoroughly soaking) once a week. Having said that though, it is still in a container.
Somehow, I'm thinking this probably won't be helping you much. I hope it's just needing more time to establish.

That's good information, Tara, especially as your zone is so close to mine. Thanks!!

I hope it's the establishment period, as well - I really did put it in the ground at the wrong time. Ooopsss.....

Does anyone know when I should cut this back. Most of it died with our very cold temps, so I'll have to cut it way back, but I understand that it won't mind it. I don't want to do it too early, but want to do it early enough.

I'd wait until all chances of freezing temps are over. Wouldn't want to take a chance of doing harm to new tender growth that will begin to emerge right after the pruning. What part of Georgia are you in? Or at least your zone? I'm in NE Fl., zone 9a, and if it was mine, I'd probably wait until the end of Feb., to the beginning of Mar.

Sweet Almond is the best fragrant plant ever! For me it blooms from spring to frost (zone 8b--Austin TX) It blooms many times--off and on--when its it the mood. I can't believe that not too many people know about this bush/tree .I abuse mine frightfully and it still blooms. I could be like Johnny Appleseed with this plant --planting them everywhere . mine is about 8 feet tall and is crowded in a too small stone planterthing 7x3x3 crowded next to a big bougainvillea in blazing hotness. I give it no winter protection. The only issue I have is keeping it in a single trunked bush. it wants to send out many shoots from the ground and many side shoots. Must be vigilant to make it keep its shape. The ones I have in the back of the house are shooting out from every direction. I got mine from Barton Springs Nursery in Austin. I have been introduced to many wonderful plants there-- many only 2 dollars. Does anyone know if "Just Joey" rose grows easily here?--Ms .lovemyhouse grows it in Dallas. But its hotter here.( I love your house too!) I think this sapling might do well in a xeriscaping because mine takes whatever I throw at it.

This plant never stops blooming for me. It starts in the spring and is still blooming as I type. It's unruly ... getting almost impossible to trim back but is one of my favorite fragrant plants. In my zone, if the cold gets it, I can just cut it back almost to the ground and it will come back. It will wilt without water, but it's in a big flowerbed with mulch in almost direct sun and is mostly dependent on the rain we get. I have been successful in rooting cuttings, but I found that the very tip ends are easiest. I dip them in rooting hormone and use a mixture of perlite and potting mix. Then place a zip lock bag over the top and keep it spritz. I had a wonderful gardening friend teach me how to root cuttings.

@IO1 - Hey Susan!!! I think I'm going to have to give one of these a try again!! Are they a once a year flush or a repeater?

Sorry I've been MIA. Mine starts in probably May/June and blooms until the cold gets it! Good luck! I highly recommend it for fragrance!

Funny story : 2012 /2017
My garden is abandoned since automn 2016
I start to work in my garden since 2 ou 3 weeks
I repotted my sweet almond who supported -6 degrees Celsius in winter 2014
Flowering in 2018?