on 4/27/02 12:25 AM, pennyx1@juno.com at pennyx1@juno.com wrote: > Billie, what zone are you in? > zone 7, in NC... > I saw tall lantanas used as a hedge, in Lima, Peru -- they were > magnificent! > > Even as I cut back my own hedge of tall dahlias late last fall, I > questioned whether or not their large hollow stem stubs wouldn't > capture water during the winter, and rot the tubers. Same idea. I > cannot tell as yet, way too early for zone 6. Last year 4 of them > came back, out of 8. We are not supposed to leave them in the ground, > but in their micro-climate up against the house on the ESE side, lots > of things survive. For instance, absolutely dozens of gladioli are > already up about 3-4 inches. And we had zero snow cover this winter! > Other years, even with multiple snow storms and subsequent extra- > wet and compact soil, they have also survived. Nature is capricious. > > Penny, NY I forgot you were up north! billie