"Nick Maclaren" wrote after
Emery Davis writes:
|
| I suspect the
| lack of warm late summer temperatures to ripen the wood is the main
culprit.
| Of course it may not appreciate the fogs of winter, either, so no doubt
the
| wet is a factor.

That is what Bean thinks. Apparently the same is true of Daphne genkwa,
only even more so.

I suspect that there are quite a lot of such plants, though the exact
combinations of factors that they dislike may vary. Halesia monticola
and Cercis canadiensis showed signs of not thinking much of our summers,
as well.

A friend has a good sized one in her garden in France and that took a
temperature of -14°C last winter without batting an eyelid, but it's dry
during the winter there. Neighbours of hers even have Oleander outside that
only got slightly frosted.
I'm convinced it's our combination of wet winters and lack of hot summer sun
to ripen the wood that makes them difficult in the UK. So many plants flower
better the year after we have a good hot summer.
Notice that Kew has planted a couple but up on banks so they have good
drainage.

My first year seedlings will have to take their chance idc.

What I can't understand is someone on here a while ago said they were a
popular tree in the Lake District, is that true?

--
Regards
Bob H
17mls W. of London.UK