On Sun, 27 Nov 2005 10:26:33 +0000, Sacha
wrote:

On 26/11/05 16:02, in article
, "Charlie Pridham"
wrote:


"Sacha" wrote in message
.uk...
On 26/11/05 15:23, in article ,
"Pam Moore" wrote:

Please can anyone give me any guidance as to how hardy or otherwise
Tibouchina is?
I have one about 2 feet tall. I have brought it into a bedroom.
A friend who has a sheltered walled garden in Bristol left hers out
all last winter, and has not done more than cover it with fleece in
this recent cold spell.
I do have the offer of an unheated greenhouse. Which would be better?

We don't leave them outside here and I've lost one in a garden in Jersey
when it went to somewhere around -4. I think that even in an unheated
greenhouse it could be at risk but others may have different experiences.
Ours are kept in a large greenhouse where the heating comes on
automatically
if the temp drops below freezing. Perhaps the greenhouse *and* a cosy
fleece blanket? ;-)
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
(remove the weeds to email me)

I am trying one outside this year, yesterday it was covered in snow, today
its looking lovely still in full flower in the sunshine. Past experiance
tells me I am likely to lose it before the winter is over but I am hoping it
may come from below as I have given it a heavy loose mulch.
In the Greenhouse (not heated but frost free) they remain in growth and
flower all winter, in the open tunnel they go down to around -4c but with
control over the wet, these are normally killed to the base and regrow.
I would say at the base of a sunny wall with help from fleece it should go
through, but its not a plant where I would use my only one!

Speaking of wet, Ray would endorse that. He told me to tell Pam to be
careful not to keep her Tibouchina wet. He confirmed, too, that we cannot
keep them outdoors here and judging by the amount of time the ice stayed on
the ponds yesterday, he's right!
(On Clematis seedling has popped up, Charlie - one!)

Thanks all. It is now in a spare bedroom. I won't take a chance
leaving it out. Thanks for the tip about the wet.

Pam in Bristol