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Old 18-09-2003, 08:26 PM
Sean O.
 
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Default Jacarandas and frost

(Peter Hight) wrote in message . com...
I live in Marin County CA about 25 miles from the ocean. Harvested
seeds from So. Cal. and they`ve germinated spectacularly. Will they
survive our winter cold? How low can the temperature get before
damage? I rarely see this lovely tree in No. Calif. Any input
appreciated. Peter Hight


Hi Peter -

I'm writing you from Oakland/Berkeley, where there are many Jacarandas
growing happily, producing their wonderfully unique lavender-blue
flowers. They do get damaged during unusually cold winters, but
generally come back. In cold pockets or over the hill (Concord,
etc.), where is does get colder, they can sustain too much damage to
perform well. Sunset Western Garden Book lists them as appropriate
for Sunset zones 15-24, which would include most if not all of Marin
county. The problem you might have is wind and LACK of heat. These
trees do like a certain amount of heat build up to flower well, and
they resent continual wind. Not knowing where in Marin Co. you are, I
am not sure what to say about your possibilities. We have more heat
over here in the East Bay, and I know that folks in the South Bay (San
Jose) also have good luck with them.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Sean O.

h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara

1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.
(ask me about the worldwide Mediterranean gardening discussion group)