I would think that exposure is fine. The sun is so low in the southern sky that direct afternoon sun is not nearly the same as in the spring/summer. If you see the leaves turning reddish, reduce the sun. Of course, when many of the varieties are going to bloom, their leaves turn reddish. This can be confusing.

Ken, I live in zone 8a and spanish moss grows like crazy, mostly on live oaks here. So, why wouldn't it grow in your zone, when we are colder than you are?

Perhaps you would like to visit Starkville, Deebie. Other than in some swampy areas, I have never seen Spanish moss growing anywhere in the area. Of course, I probably haven't traveled to the vast majority of the land area in this part of the state. We have a lot of rural areas. Also, a live oak is extremely rare here, but have some bald cypress in those low-lands.

WRT Hirts, I tried them a couple of times and was less than happy. I would not buy from them again. Particularly on Amazon, they have some weird arrangement where you buy from Hirts but someone else fills the order.

Regarding Tillandsia, I have had 3 - 2 are dead and one is barely alive. Sprayed once per day and soaked once a week when outdoors in bright but not direct light. I won't try them again - I can do well with other plant types.

Debbie, Orangeburg is right on the cusp of 8b and depending on where you are and how close to the river you may be a clear 8b. I used to be 8b and am now 9a. Things are changing........

Alice, I wish you were right about my area. I'm definitely 8a out in the rural areas and do not have many trees on my property. But, would you believe that in the city of Orangeburg, ;12 miles away, they are definitely warmer in the winter. I can believe that they might be 8b. Their plants awaken so much earlier in the spring than mine do. They do not have as many frosty nights as we do in the rurals either. I'm at least 10-15 miles away from the Edisto River. That's one of the reasons why we weren't seriously impacted by the flood.

Now where you are, I would love to be there. About this time last year, we spent a week with friends on Fripp Island. I was amazed at the size and diversity of the plants that I saw. We also have friends in St. Helena, and frequently go to Huntington Beach to spend time relaxing.

Debbie, having few trees really makes a difference here too. I live on the marsh under many live oaks but neighbors whose homes are on a golf course where there are vast open grassy areas get frost regularly in the winter. They are just a few hundred yards away but what a difference in cold weather. Those oaks really offer protection.

Yes, they do. Unfortunately, I lost 3 large oaks within the last few years. Two of them year before last when we had the ice storm/snow. We grew them from seedlings almost 20 years ago. It was sad to see them go. Especially, when I was so excited to finally have shade to grow plants. Those dreams were crushed when those trees were so heavy with ice that when the limbs fell, they split the trunk almost in half. I miss the shade, especially with the hot summer we just endured.

Deebie said:. I'm definitely 8a out in the rural areas and do not have many trees on my property. But, would you believe that in the city of Orangeburg, ;12 miles away, they are definitely warmer in the winter.

Even fairly small urban areas create what are called heat islands. Simple physics - asphalt streets, parking lots etc. gain and retain heat. And the houses are heated And ... so on. All that is missing out in the open areas.

If you look at a zone map of South Carolina it cuts directly through Debbie's community. I lived in a situation like that in Maryland once and it was strange how you could grow warm weather plants like Gardenias on one side of town and not the other.

Debbie, those ice storms are one thing I do not miss about the Midlands. When I lived up there we had a tree come down on our house. Not fun.

I'd like to try growing more plants under cover, I at home I lack a covered porch. Right now, things are kinda iffy for me. I may be spending the next few months caring for my aged parents in Charleston. It is definitely 8b. I wonder how many and which plants I can transfer down there for the winter? Uhm. . .

Well....., it is warmer here on the coast.