lauriemorningglory said:Thank you, Bev and Alex. I also read somewhere that it is good to choose a plant that can handle cold a couple of zones colder than your zone because, with the pot above ground, the soil will get colder.
I second the "rated 2 zones colder". We have no problem keeping hardy stuff (zone 5, 6) in a pot year round. Plants rated for zone 8a/7b in the ground often fail in pots due to frozen roots during a cold (lol, for us) winter.
Saw some concrete large vase containers years ago rated for Maine winters from an artist in Maine.
One of their suggestions for care was to leave the container empty or completely filled to within an inch of the rim.
That advice definitely applies to some of our weaker ceramic pots here. As the potting soil in a 5 year old weaker ceramic container subsides, the container tends to spall just above the current soil line.
We are borderline "hardy tropicals" in zone 8a/7b. The length of dormancy is the main issue with some of the plants i shouldn't bother trying to grow here.
Looking at frost line maps, frozen root zones are a given for you, even in the ground? Not sure if the 2 zones hardier advice will be necessary?
Happy gardening
