Question
Hello,

I'm in Ottawa Canada and I believe the city is zone 5 or 5a. I purchased a compact blooming Ixaca Maui and wondered if it would survive here. The store assured me it would but everything I've read on the internet says nay. Could you tell me your opinion please? I really want to keep this lovely plant, but not to see it die over winter. Thank you.

Answer
Hi Wanda, having worked in Montreal for 2 years with the U.S. Customs service, I can assure you that your "Ixora Maui" would not survive in the ground there, but you could grow it in a container, and move it inside come Autumn, to spend the Winter indoors. It is a tropical plant that does not go dormant and when the ground froze would succumb. Nick