FWIW, "southern living western garden book" lists the species as being hardy in the "upper" and "middle" south (roughly from lubbock and wichita falls north). assuming that this is substantially correct (and that book or any other is NOT infallable)--would suggest that in the ground (or in container) it would need a site protected from strong hot OR cold winds,some afternoon shade, a likely at least slightly acidic soil (and water), mulch around the base to keep the roots cool, and summer water to do the best it can. hope this helps (a little).

You are right, it is an awfully tight spot. I am not sure why it was planted there except maybe they thought it would be "bushy" on top and stay bushy under the roof edge. It is not my favorite location. I do not know how long it has been there but I know it has been at least 5 years since I moved in and it was there then. The roots of the shrubbery in general are just knots so i doubt it would transplant well if I was able to "cut" it out of that location. That green tie is a rubbery plastic tie that keeps the top heavy shrub from almost laying down on top of the hollies below.

hey there, i am currently growing chiltepin peppers in my backyard, i have 2 plants that are 3 years old, going on 4 years old, and i have several dried chiltepin peppers that i would be willing to trade for some other peppers note i have like a 1/4 of a cup of dried chiltepin peppers (thats alot of seeds) this offer is to anyone that is interested in trading pepper seeds feel free to email me if you would like to trade for some peppers or some other herb seeds. im new to this, so thats all i have currently interests: pepper plants succulents herb plants email me at dannyreyna1 at yahoo dot com.

Artisticcheese, my plants are in zone 9 coastal, just off the bay. Mulch will keep the ground from freezing. I learned this from a master gardener in San Antonio named Manuel Flores in 1994, when I asked for help on how to keep my bouganvilla from freezing in San Antonio, where it does freeze on a regular basis. My tropical, are in Rockport, it has only gone below 32 degrees twice in the past 19 years there. I lost all my tropical plants in 2010, so I do not want to take a chance of loosing them again, so I protect the most expensive ones. Torch lilies, exotic hibiscus, plumeria, hong kong orchids, and desert roses. I do not protect datura, brugmansia, gingers, iochroma, ti plants, variegated rubber trees, bird of paradise, bouganvilla, and a lot of other tropical plants and vines. In the spring I give the rooted cuttings to my neighbors, family, and friends. Barbra