Ueberwinden

I have a couple of comments just from my experiences with plants.

First, The USDA hardiness zones are only guide lines. You must keep this in mind when you are purchasing plants. Decide how much effort you are willing to put into maintaining this plant. Not much effort, purchase below your zone. Remember this plant will hopefully be a long term investment requiring YEARS of care. Next I must confess that Tony's zone ratings are not always accurate. Most of this is because he rates them according to what his experience is. Brian at Brians Botanicals has Trachycarpus fortunei that has survived subzero temps in a zone 6, Tony rates them as "Zone 7-9, At least"
Some of the bananas that were mentioned in this thread I was surprised that claims were made as hardy in a zone 6. I guess it would be better if the claim was stated as " can survive in a zone 6 with protection", since bananas are not native to American cold climates. I have plants that I grow in the ground here in a zone 6 that normaly are not grown here, but this is my niche in my nursery. Other nurseries here do not grow the plants I grow because of the time and care required to maintain them here. They can grow here but require special care to survive the winter.

Michael

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White Horticulture
Rare, Tropical, Unique