Our blizzard never materialized, so that's good for the daffies. Nevertheless, I'll second. I ripped out our treelawn and replaced with xeric, and that blooms at least a week before everything else, and count on the south wall of the house for at least half a USDA zone - I have a couple Salvia greggii there.

I was surprised when my Durand oak way at the bottom of my property had many new leaves, and my Compton's oak had some new growth, both of them being on low ground.

yes they do...

and its great.. to actually see such with your own eyes.. isnt it ....

your powers of observation are spot on ...

ken

"I have a couple Salvia greggii there"

-WxDano

That is impressive right there. I had to look it up, but that seems to be zone pushing at least 2 zones. How long have you been growing it?

Ken, I thought of you when I took the pics ;-)

John

I also have salvia greggi against a south facing wall. I had it for 2 years and its gotten real big; its the cultivar called "Navajo Red". Hummingbirds go crazy for it. I also have Salvia guarenitica in the same spot, I tried overwintering it for the first time so I will see if it comes back or not. On the hummingbird forum some people like using the "bag method" to overwinter their zone pushers. You basically fill black garbage bags with leaves and place them on top of your plants after they go dormant. People often report being able to overwinter plants that are suppose to grow 2 zones warmer. I also have a needle palm that has survived against an east facing wall for 4 years. Just recently I ordered a southern magnolia, no special cultivar, so I am going to see what its capable of in my area.

Southern Mag is hardy in my zone 6 with no microclimate Greenthumbsdude. This was winter#2 for mine.{{gwi:349223}} This is from last summer. It has a couple mangy leaves from the prolonged cold of this past winter but is overall in good shape.

That is impressive right there. I had to look it up, but that seems to be zone pushing at least 2 zones. How long have you been growing it?

We're 5b/SS 2b here. That area where they ('Furman's Red') are is 6a this year, 6b often. Hammered on record cold the other day, so welcome to Colorado!