Thinking about getting a carnivore looking for something that would survive central NJ winters if possible.
I have been doing some searching on my own and see maybe a purple pitcher would work ? Any suggestions would be appreciated appreciated.

I know some Sarracenias can take the cold, snow is not bad for some of them, it insulates them. They go dormant during the cold season, but they do want to feel that winter cold. They will go ratty looking during winter, but will just come back again when temps go warmer.

See this link : http://www.carnivorousplants.o...

I am growing Sarracenia outside year around here in Reno. I have built inground bogs with flexible pond liner enabling me to make my bogs any size or shape to accommodate my landscaping. I was encouraged to start growing them here after reading all the information from Canadian growers.

In the fall, when the plants start dying back for the winter, I cover my bogs with 4 layers of burlap (its the desert - no pine needles). I leave the old pitchers on thus forming an air pocket below the burlap. Its not being frozen solid that kill the Sarracenia, but the freeze/thaw cycle we ofter see in the winter. I do have to lift a corner once in a while and add some water so they don't become desicated in the zero humidity and lack of rainfall. A pine needle cover with snow on top would keep the Sarracenia very happy. Don't pack the pine needles - leave them fluffy. I uncover them in the early spring when the low temps are in the upper 20's.

I have one Drosera living outside in the bog - I think it got there with others plants I purchased. It has survived two winters outside now. I know its not from my greenhouse because it blooms white.

Good article Tarev.

Daisy

Tara,Daisy
Great information this helps a lot; it sounds like the Sarracenia are my best option.
The link is perfect as it had some information about growing in a pot which is how I plan to keep them.
Thanks Ed

If you are growing them in a pot, always have a couple inches of water in the saucer. You will have to take them into a garage or cellar for the winter.

Daisy

Not sure about keeping water in the saucer as it tends to draw thirsty animals was thinking about keeping a eye on the soil to be sure it is wet. This brings up another question is this a tasty snack or critters when I have flowers planted if is not the rabbits and small game its the deer that like to nibble on a nice flower salad.

They are bog plants - without that reservoir, they will not survive. I grew mine on the second story deck in pots in California for that very reason. Critters.

Can you build a safe yard or put netting over them?

Daisy, thanks I will have to think about this. I could just secure 1 pot easily but I like the open look being in pots is bad enough I prefer not to have my plants in jail . When I had a veggy garden I had it secured but took it down years back; 6' of fence to keep deers and others out and 12" of fence below grade to keep out the burrowing critters.

Agree with Daisy They need the water in the saucer, so easy to dry them out. I always keep my Sarracenias sitting in distilled water even in winter. As it is, with summer's dry heat conditions and with the winds, dry out time is faster. My garden has limitations with direct sun, gets more shaded in the afternoon. I think it is a blessing in disguise, otherwise the Sarracenias will be toast with the dry heat. So far my Sarracenia purpurea is doing quite okay with that. Sarracenia psittacina is pouting big time with our dry heat, thankful it still struggles to live. My other Sarracenia,which maybe a Judith Hindle is coping, but is bending due to the winds, but it is making new pitchers so it is still okay.

Here is my Sarracenia purpurea, saucer or water container does not need to be too big, just enough it sits in water, rain water better to use if you have it, I have to use distilled, no rain here:
I have put the Sarracenia container with my other plants in this bigger clay container, lots of flying chow for it


This blooms lasts so long! Started to make this bloomstalk last Feb 2016

There are many plants that could apply. Honestly to many variations to write down. Essentially all that require Dormancy I would think

In zone 5, any of the temperate carnivorous plants will survive is covered during really cold weather to avoid the freeze thaw cycle or desiccating winds while the plant roots and rhizome are frozen.

I live in zone 8a and leave mine outdoors and uncovered even when the temperature gets down to 10 deg F at night, as long as it is not going to be an extended freeze or windy during the sub-freezing spell.