Florida's zone 8a won't be the same as ours Myriam, that only reflects the expected maximum minimum temperature which is around -12C, we can every so many years get well below that. It doesn't at all reflect the seasons and heat, Florida will not only get heat it will get much longer seasons. Even in winter time the days are likely to be much warmer than we get so plants can survive much more easily outside. Day length is another factor, ours are short over winter. The zone should indicate a plants ability to survive but it doesn't.
I've looked at several families, I'm none the wiser.
