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Blue star creeper 50% died over winter?? #878481
Asked July 23, 2024, 5:48 PM EDT
Lorain County Ohio
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Thankyou
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YOUR QUESTION #0148399:
Blue star creeper 50% died over winter??
50% of my Blue star creeper died this winter,pls help?Ask Extension offers one-to-one expert answers from Cooperative Extension/University staff and volunteers within participating Land-Grant institutions across the United States.
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Blue star creeper is a native of Australia, and is hardy down to a 6a growing zone (best in 6a-8b). You may be in this zone in Lorain County, but it may be borderline too cold. The plant is said to survive down to -4 degrees IF it has snow cover. I live in Erie Co, and the hard cold snap we had right before Christmas last year (after prolonged warmer weather) might have done it in. The link below shows growing zones for Lorain Co, but your microclimate may be a bit colder or warmer than the map shows. You are likely on the edge of the growing zone for this plant.
https://u.osu.edu/lorainmgv/usda-plant-hardiness-zone-map-2023/
It is also said to prefer bright dappled shade, not full sun or deep shade, although it may tolerate those conditions. It also likes to be kept consistently moist, but can be subject to root rots if it sits in water in poorly draining soil. It spreads readily from runners, and can be aggressive. It is not technically labeled as invasive.
This link covers the plant's preferences for growing in some detail.
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/isotoma-fluviatilis/
You don't say how old your planting is/was, how protected the area is, the amount of sun/water or soil drainage. If anything stressed the plants, even though they are said to be quite resilient, they may have succumbed to a cold snap.
Thankyou so much,I think your input about stress very helpful
