Information is requested about erodiums that are successful in colder areas. Customers have reported that crown rot is a problem in cold, wet winters. A layer of gravel around the crown may help to avoid water splash of cold wet soil.
Many erodiums thrive in rock gardens or in containers with fast-draining soil, and remain more compact and floriferous with full sun. Although they will grow reasonably well in mildly acidic soil, amending the soil with dolomite, concrete chips or oyster grit or flour makes a great difference in plant size and health. Rock Garden and Container erodiums like a tall container such as a chimney flue, or a drainage pipe. There are some erodiums that will grow in well-drained perennial borders, with at least morning sun, and a few erodiums that prefer shade in all but the mildest summers. In our climate, erodiums close their flowers during the early afternoon, reopening them in the late afternoon. All are hardy in Zone 8/9.
