March, 2001 Spring Update
During the winter of 2000 I took nothing in. I decided I would find out which plants could take the frost and which couldn't. I lost some plants, needless to say, and I regret it, but I now know how to approach future winters. Our lowest temperature this past winter was right at 15 degrees f. (-11 c.) Temperatures would rise above freezing each day. Keep in mind that all my plants are in containers and not in the ground.
Some I know are thinking, "What a stupid thing to do," but I have so many containers that I can't possibly take them all in, and I have to make choices. I learned the following:
Ficus benjamina will take it if there is overhead cover. Otherwise they perish. I lost my biggest and best. The ficus elastica (Rubber Plant) was under the overhang and survived. So did the f. lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig), although it lost many of its large leaves.
Dracaena will not handle it at all. I lost all four.
Crotons can't take it. They are all gone.
Yucca elephantipes are not affected adversely.
Norfolk Island Pines can take it easily.
Bougainvillea cannot take it. I lost the "Juanita." Bougies, however, will survive if planted in the ground.
Majesty palms, if they are under cover, will survive. The others browned and withered, but they are returning. Mexican Fan Palms (Washingtonia robusta) do quite well.
The various aloes survived, although one large one wilted quite severely.
All the flowers perished, save the common begonias.
It was a learning experience. It saddened me to lose some cherished plants, but at the same time it gives me the opportunity to acquire new ones. Life goes on, eh?
I have taken some shots of the jungle after I got the mess cleaned up. Be patient, please. The photos are large -- well worth the wait.