Hi Karen, we have alkaline clay too, so that's not the problem. I don't know how hot it gets in Ohio - if really hot, perhaps you could try to plant them somewhere where they're in shade during the hottest part of the day? Most summers here we reach a max of 28 celsius (82 fahrenheit). I think our winters must be milder than yours (we're zone 8a).
Here's my 10 day forecast: only today is your temp range, then the nineties it is. And humid! So, so, humid. July and August are much hotter and more humid. https://weather.com/weather/te...
I try different plants and I'm successful with most. But if I've learned anything from gardening for decades, it's that it's by far preferable to grow flowers that adapt to my soil and climate, rather than expecting my soil and climate to change to suit what I plant.
Gorgeous Lupines Mika! I long to be able to grow them, but same here as Karen, they just don't like this climate. Too hot and humid in summer here for them- whenever I've tried them they fry in the heat and disappear. I know of one person in Cincinnati who had one survive for a couple of years, so I think most of Ohio is too far south for them.
Jill, I've found that roses bred by the Kordes family are good performers here, winter hardy and disease resistant. Palatine Roses carries a lot of them, and their roses are excellent- huge root systems and vigorous growers.
"...and don't think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It's quiet, but the roots are down there riotous." Rumi
Very nice lupins. I had a pink one for several years, but have not had luck since. Schreiners Irises in Oregon grows them in their display garden. Anytime that you see tall bearded irises with lupine, you are looking at Schreiners.
Name: Sandy B. Ford River Twp, Michigan UP (Zone 4b) (Zone 4b-maybe 5a)
Well, we definitely have the "cool" thing going for us here, and my blueberry plants have taught me how to acidify the soil, so I think I'll have to give them another try. Lucy, I happened to be looking at the Schreiners website a couple of days ago and noticed how beautiful the lupines and iris went together!
“Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight." ~ Albert Schweitzer C/F temp conversion
They are allover the highways here..very pretty..I tried planted the seeds but did not have much luck so I never try anymore...I can buy it from a nursery but they are not cheap and they grow small and short so I have to buy quite a lot to looke nice, unlike the real lupine that's large and tall...
But I'm still jealous when I watch HGTV and saw that Canadian gardener have all these gorgeous big blooming flowers like they are on steroids
Where I came from, we do not have 4 seasons, but have a lots of tropical flowers especially Orchids, it's green all year long...I have to say four seasons is awesome...eventhough here in Texas we have kind of 4 seasons ....Every year I wait for Spring to come....
I never want to live farther north than I am now. I HATE winter. However, when I've visited places in more northern latitudes, I sure was impressed by the beautiful flowers. Seattle comes to mind. But in Ireland especially, the gardens were exceptional.
You may be surprised, Karen - although Ireland is in a more northern latitude than you, it has a mild climate - average temperature is 50 F. Here in Oxfordshire, England, we're zone 8a - although our summers aren't as hot as yours, our winters are much milder.
Delphiniums here are just beginning to open - one of my favourite cottage garden plants:
Sorry about all the rain - one of the hazards of England!
Yes, your weather is always milder than mine, both winter and summer. Our winters are pretty cold and sometimes snowy, but summers are always hot, humid, and often droughty.
But I'm still jealous when I watch HGTV and saw that Canadian gardener have all these gorgeous big blooming flowers like they are on steroids 
....Every year I wait for Spring to come....
Have a wonderful and blessed Sunday everyone !
