I would think the problem is "something else" too, other than cold. In Minnesota, orientals don't last long in neutral soils (and certainly not alkaline), but need at least somewhat acid soil to be winter hardy and thrive. I remember how much you like Salmon Star, Tracey, and I wonder if hybrids like that are more tolerant. Your summers are also hotter than Lorn's or mine, and both places that I have Kushi Maya are open shade most of the day. The better clump grows on the east slope of a 2.5 ft high mound, and is "packed in" among other flowers so the soil is hardly visible. They got a heavy mulching the first winter, 4 inches the second, and hardly any (2 inches) this winter because it's been so warm.
