gunnera, will it wilt in zone 7a

Nov 10, 2003 2 Replies

Intrigued by gunnera and live it a hot Atlanta climate. I've read it needs humid and cool summers. Any experience with this crazy plant in zone 7-8? Any advice on Gunnera manicata vs. Gunnera other? I've got a wet and shady backyard except for a curious mid-day 2-3 hr window of hot sun. Thanks.


plant in>zone 7-8? Any advice on Gunnera manicata vs. Gunnera other? I've got>a wet and shady backyard except for a curious mid-day 2-3 hr window of>hot sun.

We are zone 8b and have no problem with Gunnera - you just lop the leaves off around Halloween and mulch the plant with them.

They do require a reasonable level of moisture (perfect beside a pond) and can burn in direct hot sun all day but so what? Plant it near water or in the middle of a lawn, and stand back. They are good to zone 7 in terms of winter low temps, if suitably mulched.

Here's one beside my pond a couple of years ago -its even bigger now.

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I recall seeing a website from someone in zone 6 with Gunnera. They were in southern Ontario. As I recall, they "mulched" it with layers of used carpeting.

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