Hardiness factors for Arisaema

[James W. Waddick]

Dear Scott;
I agree that there is a lot more to hardiness than winter low and
summer highs. I can grow some things here in Zone 5/6 like the bamboos of
the genus Phyllostachys becuase we get warm summer days AND nights and the
spring culms harden off and produce good solid buds. In some milder
climates the culms don't get "cooked' into a summer semi-dormancy which
hardens buds and as a result the culms can't make it through higher winter
lows than I have. The so called "Continetal influence". But these warm
nights make most alpines a total bust (wish I could grow some Mecanopsis).
But I can grow Dracunculus vulgaris outdoors in a hot dry spot
where it bakes very nicely. I've some success with 'tender' Arum, but need
to try more and am in a new garden.

All this is wandering around the point of my still wanting to hear
about ten hardiest Arisaema.

And a recommendation for those who want to know more about
hardiness - the unsung master is John Sabuco "The Best of the Hardiest"
(2nd Ed) which discuses the effects of such trivia as elevation, snow, wind
factors, clouds, mitigating temperature factors, fungal and bacterial
symbionts as well as temperature, rainfall, cell metabolism, etc etc. Many
factors shown with maps of the US. Worth searching out.

Voice: 816 746 1949
James W. Waddick                          E-MAIL: jimjim at sky.net
8871 NW Brostrom Rd                            Fax: 816 746 1939
Kansas City MO 64152