Any Gardeners Here? (Des Moines, Lansing: transplants, house, buy)

[Meemur]

Okay, I know Des Moines is listed as growing zone 5B. Columbus, OH is 6A.

I know my witch hazel transplants will be okay because they are from Lansing, MI (zone 5B).

Do you think my hosta and roses will be okay or will I need local ones? My guess is the hosta will be fine as will the species roses (rosa sp.) but the hybrids won't make it . . . any ideas?

I seem to recall having to plant "sub zero" roses when I lived in Lansing. None of the other hybrids made it, but I may have had cruddy soil. I now grow hybrid roses in half-whiskey barrels so I manage the soil better.

I'm asking because new bushes are on the expensive side ($22+ for decent ones), so it's worth bringing what I can if they'll survive. Yes, I know to use rotone and wrap the roots in damp newspaper and burlap. I think they would survive the move itself.

I will start over with daylilies. They aren't that expensive.

Are there any special nurseries you like? I do some mail order, but it's nice to be able to go somewhere, besides Lowe's Garden Center, and chat with experts.

(To be fair, our Lowe's employs a few Master Gardeners on a seasonal basis)

[capitalcityguy]

Earl May is a respected small midwest chain of nurseries with a few locations in the DM metro. Their prices are higher on things than the big box stores, but I think the quality of their items is better. You are also paying for the expertise of the staff IMO. I buy things from serveral places, but when I have a question or looking for advice, I always head to my local Earl May as they seem to always have the answers I can trust.

https://www.earlmay.com/index.cfm

I live closet to the store on 5610 Douglas in DM, so that is the one I frequent most often. Also, their top gardening expert (not sure how to label responsiblities) works that store. Last name is Holub. He used to own several of his own nurseries around Iowa but now works for Earl May.

[Meemur]

Thanks, CCG! I'll poke my nose in there on the next trip.

My friend says you can turn Iowa soil with a spoon, but my thoughts are on winter kills. I remember some of the difficulties I had in Lansing until I got the right plants.

[Tek_Freek]

Hybrid teas will grow here. If they are winter exposed they should be heavily mulched over winter. I have two close to the house on the south side and I never mulch them. They have done quite well for the last 25 or so years. In fact one of them was transplanted when we moved and is probably 35 years old.

The place you plant here is as important as the plant itself. Winter protection varies depending on the amount of winter wind or lack of early spring sun. I doubt your roses will survive in whiskey barrels.

Hostas love it here. If you are a fan you will find some nurseries that have a huge variety available. Here is an example: Flying Frog Farms L.C. This page has the catalog in PDF format. Downloadable.

Visiting garden centers will open your eyes to an amazing variety of plants that will grow here. Even Lowes has a wide selection. And Thereby Hangs a Tale...

[Meemur]

Thanks for the link!

I will visit the garden centers when I have more time. If I close on the house I want, it's well-shaded and a great home for hostas, and I'll bring several of my heritage ones and well as buy new ones there.