Check out the link below and read the cultivar descriptions closely. Richard Norris has been hybridizing for years for northern vigor and rebloom. He has several cultivars that do what he has termed "instant rebloom". His previous introductions are affordable. I have several of his plants, and they like it at my Ohio location. Charlie Here is a link that might be useful: Ashwood Garden

Hello everyone! We're in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and today it has been minus 3 degrees. Our little Anna's Hummingbird visited the frozen flowers today and I do think they survive on insects at this time of year...well until the Spring they must. Anna's Hummingbird is relatively new to Vancouver according to my bird book and they are a joy to see. Our summer variety, the Rufus Hummingbird is long gone to warmer climes.

Giantslug Several years ago I purchased an unlabelled passion vine at a regional flower and garden show. I have since identified the plant as P alano-caerulea. I have it growing in a 10-12 gallon plastic pot. The pot originally did not come with any holes in it and I drilled an oversized hole in each corner. In the spring after the weather becomes reliably warm I move the pot to its outside located next to a trellis. The pot sits directly on the soil and the roots quickly grow through the holes and into the ground. Within a month or 6 weeks the plant begins to bloom. I would estimate that I have over 200 blooms per year. The plant is sterile and does not set fruit so it puts all of its energy into bloom. Before the first frost I cut the vine back hard to get it off the trellis and I have to cut the roots with pruning sheers to get the pot lose from the ground. Some years the plant seems to sulk due to the large amount of root loss. I move it to my unheated garage for the winter. The garage is cold but it does not freeze. I am probably located farther south than you but I highly recommend this passion vine. A photo that I took a few years ago is below. Leon

Wishing you well. Our children live in Fairbanks and they're facing similar issues. I sympathize. All citizens need to do everything we can to prevent leakage of heat into the atmosphere. I'm in Minnesota and I know that using window coverings after dark in winter is definitely an energy savings. Additionally, up there it is helpful to have something to shut out the midnight sun so you can sleep better. If you can sew roman shades, look into Warm Window supplies at Joann Fabrics. They sell this stuff in their Alaska stores. In my house I also have walls of Window Quilt custom-made padded shades which are definitely helpful--we couldn't get our building permit without speccing out these for our large windows. My Alaskan daughters use a nonprofit consultation service called something like "Northern Homes Consultation Service" which knows the local resources for all kinds of things. Something like the University Extension Service of my childhood. They have made recommendations for the cabin buildings my girls live in which stand on pilings over permafrost. I doubt you can stump them. Ignore the name I invented. Just tried to find them online. This might be the organization: Cold Climate Housing Research Center in Fairbanks. This is not in Valdez, but there might be a similar outfit there. Or otherwise, just assume that the towns are nearby (as the residents do) and go talk to them, :-) Here is a link that might be useful: Cold Climate Housing Research Center