Hyacinth can handle a freeze if their growth buds are not frozen. We cover
them with plastic and keep the water circulating. They are thus in 32
degree water, but not frozen. The plastic protects that much. About half
make it through the winter. In the spring we strip the dead leaves and let
them grow. The ones that died are mush by then. Fairly easy to tell which
is which.

Jim
"kc" wrote in message
...
Okay, I tried to research this on the web, where I found a pond supply
page
listing water hyacinth and anachris as HARDY WINTER PLANTS--there go that
page's credibility--mine just turn to mush if I leave them in, and I'm in
zone 8!
I have zebra grass, horsetail, pickerel, cattail, dwarf papyrus, canna
lily (can you see I spend WAY too much this spring and want to save some
of
my investment) and outside the pond elephant ear, ginger flower and banana
tree (which is probably already dead). I want to keep the bringing of
plants inside to a minimum if possible. I have read things here about
"sinking" plants, which I don't really understand--how do you sink a
plant--put rocks in the pot so it sinks to the bottom of the pond, or
what?
Thanks for any help you choose to give!
Kirsten