Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas

This not only told me how to grow warm weather plants in cold climates, it taught me basic gardening principles as well backed by experimental data. It also thoroughly explained the concept of the microclimate and how to create one, which is necessary to grow, for example, a Mexican Fan Palm in Greenville, SC (the reason I bought the book). Even though the author is a PhD, it is very easy to understand. This is a must for anyone wanting to grow palm trees and other warm weather plants in cooler areas to show off to the neighbors and be the talk of the neighborhood.

Just finished Dr. Francko's book. Can't wait until spring to start out "tropical" garden here in Ohio. On our way back from a South Carolina vacation my 5year old asked for a palm tree. Now I know what to do, where to plant it, how to take care of it, and the places to get it.

After many visits to southern California, I was tired of envying their plant options so I did some serious internet searches to find tropical plants or those with a tropical feel that will grow in zone 6. I found enough useful information to get started but not enough feel confident. Some gardening tips were contradictory and there were big "how to'" gaps as well. I actually found this book through those searches. It is a great read and I now feel I have the tools create a backyard that I can truly be excited about. I only wish that it spent less space on crepe myrtles and other southeastern plants and more space on hardy tropicals. But he wasn't writing it for me so I'll stick with 5 stars.

I have been awaiting a book like this for a long time. This is a must-have book for those who would like to expand their gardening interest and adding some exciting and unusual specimens to their landscape. This book provides info on trees, shrubs, and herbaceous perrenials that are mostly untried in common landscaping. My favorites are the chapters on hardy palms, bananas, and cannas. But there are a myriad of other species that would hold anyone's interest. This book is valuable for those experimental gardeners in zones 5, 6 and 7. The author gives valauble advice on the cultivation of each species- including over-wintering tips. The book is practical in its approach to gardening. It is also easily understandable. I even love the section at the end of the book for sources for obtaining plants. The only thing that disappointed me was that I would have loved more color photos of plants. All in all a great book for the library and a must-have for the subtropical gardener.

I now feel better prepared to handle whatever winter throws at me in the future. I had met Dr.Francko 2 years prior to this best seller and I can truthfully say I had no palms or plants to perish in two minus 5 * F events here , this past winter .The Windmill palms are growing feverishly in march now and Needle Palms and Sable Minors seem to grow a tad faster than Dr.Francko reports. Lantana , long a colorful favorite for the entire growing season in the southern areas does 'come back' as a perrinal if mulched good in zone 6 .If you really want to have the most amazing yard in your town and if you really want to have that personal satisfaction that comes with successful gardening , get this book . You wont be alone anymore.