Castor Bean Winter Hardy in Vancouver?

Discussion in 'Outdoor Gardening in the Pacific Northwest' started by tiger_lily, Nov 9, 2010.

  1. tiger_lily

    tiger_lily Active Member 10 Years

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    Location:
    Burnaby, BC
    I just planted two castor bean plants (Ricinus communis) this past week. But I'm not sure, are they winter hardy in the Vancouver area? I am reading contradictory information about whether it is hardy in zones 8 & 9, which I think is roughly our local USDA hardiness zones.

    I also hear that this will be a severe winter, as the snow on the local mountains yesterday morning would also suggest.

    Any advice? Should I dig one up, and overwinter it in the basement, or risk leaving them both out for the winter? They don't have seeds yet, so I don't have that option if I lose them.
     
  2. Eric La Fountaine

    Eric La Fountaine Contributor Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    Location:
    sw USA
    They will not survive a winter outdoors here. They barely thrive in our cool summers. They are usually planted from seed and grown as annuals in northern areas.
     
  3. kevind76

    kevind76 Active Member

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    Location:
    Winnipeg, Canada
    No harm in trying - if you have the room. I don't think they can handle anything lower than -3C or -5C. Mine was looking pretty bad after those temps.
     

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