ordering perenials from a catalog

[kpw212]

I live in upstate NY, zone 5.* I'm planning to order a bunch of perennials that are rated hardy in a range of zones; eg zones 4 thru 9.* I'm told that I should be careful ordering perennials that are not normally seen in my zone because they may not prosper because they are more native to the zones that experience higher temps. Like zone 9 is down around Florida. The catalogs have some great stuff I've never seen around where I live.* Anyone have any thoughts on this?* I would hate to spend a bunch of money only to have half the stuff bloom.* Thanks!

[Newt]

Hi KPW,

It may be too late for this, but if the plant is rated hardy from zone 4 to 9 that doesn't mean it won't survive in your climate.* On the flip side, if a plant is rated as hardy to zone 9 and you live in a zone that is much colder, then it won't survive outdoors year round for you.* I live in zone 7 and have many plants that thrive in warmer zones.* The idea of the zones is to give you an idea of the average coldest temps the plant will survive in.

I used to live in the Catskills, so I'm familiar with your climate.* Sometimes you can actually push the zones by creating a micro climate.* If you live in zone 5 and you plant in an area that is close to a sunny stone wall or brick building, you might be able to push the zone by one and have something that would only thrive in zone 6 survive in your zone 5.* A thick layer if mulch can also be helpful.* I've seen people cover some of their plants with evergreen boughs too.

Newt