When Mild Climates Go Bad...

The peninsula south of San Francisco has a nearly perfect gardening climate. Winters and summers are mild, the ground warms up quickly in the spring, and a pleasant Indian Summer is guaranteed in writing. (If you dislike your Indian Summer, you're welcome to punch the County Tax Collector in the nose.)

Since mild is our motto, gardeners here like to plant varieties that aren't built for frost. I can imagine the waves of sympathy from my gardening sisters and brothers in New England and the Midwest.

"Ooh, frost! You poor guy. Why don't you come help me shovel the snow off my driveway?"

During a bitter winter a few years ago, we learned that two of our most beautiful centerpiece plants can't take frost. Leaves dropped; thick woody stems cracked and desiccated. We studied garden books for new, frost resistant varieties, because we thought we'd be starting over.

Two years passed before they bloomed again, but our centerpieces recovered. Here's the south side of the pergola. We rely on the shade of our bougainvillea and honeysuckle on hot summer days.

Here's a second frost bit.

Here's a third frost bit.

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