Indoor plants are more or less easy to choose, because the environmental conditions inside the house are quite stable. One of the biggest challenges when choosing outdoor plants is finding one that adapts to the climatic vagaries of the region. And if you are fortunate enough to live in a place with well-marked and extreme seasons, then it becomes an even more complicated task. If you don't want to live by moving plants every month or resign yourself to watching them die and replant in the next season, then you need to get your hands on these cold and heat resistant outdoor plants.
Why Do Plants Die in Extreme Climates?
Nothing would be more beautiful and simple than to have a plant, let's say for example a beautiful olive tree, and watch it grow and become beautiful under the radiant summer sun and then under incredible snowfall. This can only be achieved with plastic plants, because all plants are ectothermic organisms, meaning that their temperature depends on environmental conditions because they lack a thermoregulatory mechanism.
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Human beings have an incredible body, which is able to maintain itself at a constant temperature even when the external temperature is very different. For example, if it's hot, we start sweating to cool down and if it's a little cold, we shiver to regain heat. Plants do not have this system, but rely on the external temperature. Temperature is an important aspect because it can interfere with the proper development of processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, germination, nutrient uptake, and more.
When plants reach a temperature they are not prepared for, then they become stressed. In the case of low temperatures, cold can cause alterations in the functioning of membranes, in protein synthesis, in the way in which nutrients are metabolized, in photosynthesis and respiration. It also causes problems in the water absorption mechanism. Stress, whether from cold or heat, causes the plant to invest its resources and energy in maintaining vital functions, so they neglect other needs such as the maintenance of leaves and fruits. If stress conditions persist, the plant dies.
One of the biggest enemies of plants is ice. Freezing and thawing frequently causes air bubbles to form in the plants' liquid transport system, which can block the system and kill the plant. There are plants that have evolved mechanisms to resist low temperatures. Some plants, such as oaks and walnuts, avoid frost damage by dropping all their leaves in the fall. This ensures that the flow of water between leaves and roots is closed.
Some species go into dormancy, consume the minimum required of water and nutrients, and regrow when the climate is more favorable. There are plants such as poplars and birches that have developed narrow water transport cells that prevent the problem of freezing clogging. There are plants that are naturally equipped to deal with these extremes.
How to Choose the Perfect Plants for the Weather
The simplest trick to choosing outdoor plants that are able to withstand extreme weather is to use local species. It seems very obvious, but we are so used to looking for exotic and different plants that we leave aside those species made to live and adapt to the climatic oscillations of the region. Find out what region of the peninsula you are in and what plants tend to grow in these latitudes. Another way is to go for a walk and notice the trees and plants growing in public parks or open gardens.
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It helps a lot to be clear about the maximum and minimum temperatures in the region, because in articles about plants resistant to this type of climate, these data are usually put explicitly. It is also important to take into account the location of the space where you will place the plants, as the incidence of the sun's rays on the plant in summer depends on this.
If you're most concerned about cold temperatures in winter, you can always learn a few tricks to protect your plants from frost. For example, it is necessary to make sure that the substrate is well drained, to prevent the root from freezing. Another trick is to stop fertilizing them regularly in the fall, as this alerts the plant that it's time to start preparing for winter.
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Don't think it's all negative. When plants live in places with such differentiated climates, they learn to adapt their cycles to this, and they are also less affected by insect pests, which cannot withstand low temperatures. This saves you from using pesticides and allows you to grow healthy plants.
Plants Resistant to Extreme Climates
- Oleander
The scientific name of the oleander is Nerium Oleander. The first thing that catches your eye about this plant is its bouquets of pink, yellow or white flowers, which grow in spring. It is an evergreen plant, which means that it will maintain its green leaves throughout the year. This shrub, which can reach up to 6 meters tall, is virtually maintenance-free. It is suitable for beginners and its requirements are very simple.
Oleander tolerates up to 15 degrees below zero and about 40°C. Watering has to be adjusted according to the temperature and season, so in summer it will require more water. The substrate should have very good drainage, so it is usually mixed with a little sand. You can fertilize in the warm season. It grows very fast, so it will become a focal point of your garden. It has only one drawback: it is considered the most poisonous plant in the world, so if you have pets you will have to be very careful. However, it is not attractive to animals because of its smell and bitter taste.
Japanese
- Maple
The Japanese maple is a deciduous tree with beautiful foliage that turns orange or red during the fall, shortly before falling. It reaches a height of 8 meters and can survive fearsome frosts of -18° C and up to 30° C in summer. It is very easy to care for and can even be kept in a pot. I'm sure you'll love the shapes of its leaves.
This tree requires a substrate with very good drainage, if possible with a slightly acidic pH. Watering must be copious and more or less frequent, because it does not withstand drought. It prefers bright places, but where the sun's rays do not reach it directly. If potted, it should be transplanted every two years to a larger pot. It prefers moist environments, but avoids spraying its leaves with water, as it makes it difficult to breathe.
- Aspidistras
It is a green, herbaceous and perennial plant. Its long leaves, which can reach 60 cm long, have an amazing bright green color. Very hardy and easy to care for, it prefers semi-shade and is able to live in high temperatures of up to 40° C and frost of up to -10° C.
The charm of the Aspidistra lies in their volume, as they are perfect for adding lushness to the garden. They are perfect for planters and the like or for covering the bases of taller plants but with a woody base. They're great for places with lots of shade and little sun. It is moderately watered, although it can tolerate drought lakes.
- Roses
Roses are one of the most popular and appreciated flowers, not only for their beauty but also for their delicious aroma. Although they look like delicate flowers, the truth is that rose bushes are very resistant and versatile plants. You can plant them in pots or in the ground, and they can withstand temperatures between 38° C and -12° C in winter. They can reach a height between 30 cm to 20 meters, depending on where it is planted. Rose bushes will brighten up your spaces from spring to October if they are in the right conditions.
Watering rose bushes should be moderate, 3 to 4 times a week during the summer and decreasing in frequency during the rest of the year. Rose bushes need full sun in order to live, so you can put it outside with complete peace of mind. Want more flowers? You can fertilize it with a special fertilizer for this type of plant. This plant tolerates pruning very well, although you can still keep it beautiful by cutting off the dried flowers.
Garden
- Plum
The Garden Plum Tree or Prunus Cerasifera pisardii is also known as red plum. It is from the same family as cherry, almond and peach trees and will become the darling of the garden. It's almost impossible not to fall in love with its thick purple foliage, and in spring with its white or pastel pink flowers. It is an ornamental deciduous tree, as its fruit is not edible, and it can grow up to 8 meters.
The plum tree requires plenty of sun exposure and deep soil, although if temperatures are too high in summer, a little shade wouldn't hurt. They are low-maintenance, and although they prefer clay soil, it is enough to give them a well-drained one with organic matter. Watering should be moderate, although plum trees tolerate droughts quite well. They should always have well-drained soils, waterlogging is terrible for them.
- Carnations
The floral icon of Spanish culture is a plant that resists extreme climates very well, although without exaggerating. In theory it can tolerate a minimum of -5°C and a maximum of 30°C, but it is better if they are not exposed to the most terrible frosts. The carnation, or Dianthus Caryophyllus, is a herbaceous and perennial plant that is very easy to care for. The best thing about this species is that its flowers will accompany you from spring to autumn, there are many colors and they will surely add the touch of color that your space needs.
Carnations require liquid fertilizer for flowering plants once a week during spring and summer, to encourage flowering. It requires little care, but it's best if you remove the dried flowers. You should water only when the substrate looks dry, because although they require water to grow and develop, waterlogging must be avoided. They love light and sun, so they're perfect for that brightly lit corner.
- Lavender
This is one of my favorite plants, because it has such a delicious and relaxing aroma that it is capable of turning any corner or garden into an oasis of peace. What few know is that this semi-shrubby perennial plant so common in the Mediterranean region can withstand temperatures down to -5°C. Lavender is very rustic and won't demand much from you to bloom and fill your garden with its violet color in summer.
Lavender loves the sun and if you provide it with a rather alkaline substrate, it will grow happily. It is not necessary to fertilize it, in fact there are those who advise against doing so because it can cause it to lose its aroma; But if you have it in a pot, you can add some liquid compost in it at the beginning of spring. It is important to prune it in autumn, to stimulate its flowering.
- Many
trees as plants of tropical origin, but the truth is that the tall palm or trachycarpus fortunei is a wonderful palm tree, as it is able to withstand the most extreme climates. As if that weren't enough, you can even plant it in pots or small gardens; It can reach 15 meters in height, but its trunk will always remain with a maximum thickness of 40 cm.
What makes this palm tree different is that it is covered by fibers that protect its trunk, so it can withstand temperatures as low as -17° C. You can place it in full sun or semi-shade and it will grow happily. It requires frequent watering, up to 3 times a week and if you want to make it really happy, then put organic fertilizers such as guano on it.