COLD HARDY PLANTS
Growers and Breeders of Unusual Cold Hardy Plants
 

Nananthus sp."nice" 
Quantity of plants tested: 1
Size of plant tested: small seedling started in May 2000.
Soil texture: sandy loam covered with granite peastone.
When planted: the plants were planted in the ground in June 2000.
Winter protection: no protection.
Microclimate: warm microclimate, approximately 2 feet off a south facing wall.
Temperature: refer to 2000-2001 winters on this chart
Findings: the plant survived with little to no damage.
nananthus_nice.JPG (52811 bytes) September 4, 2000 - This photo shows the plant in September prior to any freezes.  The plant was germinated from seed in May 2000.
nananthus_nice_2.jpg (13739 bytes) December 23, 2000 - This is another photo of the same plant, notice the plant appears very dark in color, is it damaged??  It has been down to 5F without snow cover.
nananthus_nice_3.jpg (11470 bytes) December 29, 2000 - This is another photo of the same plant, notice the plant is still very dark in color, is it damaged??  It has been down to 5F without snow cover.  December 25th was a cold day with highs only about 15F and a low of 6F.
nananthus_nice_4.jpg (15354 bytes) January 27, 2001 - This is another photo of the same plant, notice how the color appears lighter.  It has been down to 5F without snow cover.  No damage observed to date.  It has been snow covered from Dec. 30 through Jan. 8 and from Jan. 21 through Jan. 25.  More snow cover in Feb and March too.  The first 7 days in March had highs 32F or lower.
nananthus_nice_2001_aug14.jpg (184720 bytes) August 14, 2001 - Here's a status update as of August 14, 2001.  No flowers to date.
nananthus_nice_2001_oct1.jpg (23646 bytes) October 1, 2001 - Here's a close up on October 1, 2001.
nananthus_nice_2002_apr12.jpg (27875 bytes) April 12, 2002 - Here's the Nanantus in April flowering.  It was the first plant in my garden to flower (except for daffodils and crocus), most plants are still fully dormant.
nananthus_nice_no2_2002_sept7.jpg (13552 bytes) September 7, 2002 - This photo shows another form of this hybrid.  It was germinated in the spring of 2000 as well but is much smaller.  It was placed in the garden in the spring of 2001 and survived the 2001-2002 under a poly roof.  Low temp was 12F or so.
nananthus_nice_2003_mar22r.jpg (74499 bytes) March 22, 2003 - Both plants died this winter and they were protected under a poly roof.  Just too cold.  Almost all South African plants died this winter.



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