Hi Steve,
I have mine growing in a protected corner and it comes back just fine. It gets some branch damage but it's not a major problem. At the very least,I would think it's root hardy. I'm sure mine will never be a large tree,I treat it more like a large shrub. Lora

In zone 5 it will act much like a butterfly bush. It will usually die to the ground or snow line and put out rampant growth come spring. Once established it can grow 6ft or greater in a few months, and bloom in July until frost. It may not always die back to the ground. I've seen a few in Ohio that are more "shrub/small tree like," easily 10ft or greater, but the larger ones are usually planted in protected areas or in cities, where the benefit from extra heat. I've alwasy been told that good drainage is essential in overwintering them in marginal zones, but I don't know??? Mine is in clay and it does well.

Thank you both for your answers. I can't plant it till this week end but I have picked a spot that is near the house to give it some protection and it will have good drainage. I look forward to seeing it grow next spring.
Thanks agian

Stevi

Don't be surprised if it looks dead in the spring, especially the first couple of years after you plant it. I removed one that I thought was dead, but my boyfriend replanted it in the compost pile and about 3 weeks later, it was growing. They will die back to the ground and are slow to show any signs of life, so give it time.

Gardenberry, thanks for the info, I seem to have a lot of things that may be late bloomers so it will fit in nicly.

I planted it last week and now it is blooming. Really need to get out and take a picture of it and post it.

Stevi k

Please do take a pic, Stevi, I'd love to see.

At the Kauffman Memorial Garden (memory of Ewing Kauffman, former owner of the KC Royals) here in Kansas City, a group of 5 to 7 of these have been trimmed into tree form and are tightly planted in one of the beds. They look fabulous--they're planted straight in a row at the back of a border and make a great, contemporary, visual. They are on the west side of the garden, planted against a wall, so somewhat protected. They look good each spring, and I'm dying to add some to my yard!