The straight MC from northeast Texas once saw 0*F weather with no apparent damage back in 1980s. That's my seed source for that reason plus consistent better form compared to others. I might go there in a couple weeks to collect cones and explore arboretum.

I've seen zone 6 for Nanjing Beauty. I think the other hybrids (T-406 and T-407) look better though. It might be a while before they are available for sale online. They're being trialed in various places. 406 and 407 sure grew a lot in their first year (over 4 ft).

Here is a link that might be useful: Nanjiing Beauty

I can't find this or the other two hybrids anywhere - Botany Shop and Almost Eden did carry Nanjing Beauty, but both have said "out of stock" for quite some time.

Only NB is available for sale online. You'd have to drive all the way to SFA to get other hybrids.

Lou - bumping this thread because Camellia Forest is now carrying one they call 'Banita' - is this one of the other clones you were aware of?

Here is a link that might be useful: Taxodium x 'Banita'

Ohand did you ever get seeds from the straight MC that survived 0F?

Hairmetal

I wouldn't plant Nanjing. I have found it to be susceptible to disease and ends up dropping most of its needles because of it compared to the other hybrids I have planted. I think Banita is either 407 or 406 but I will find out. Both have grown well for me and are still green at the moment.

I checked and the hybrid is T502. I like this one too. Not as fast a grower so far compared to 407 and 406 but looks good and is still green in December.

Hairmetal

I have a lot of MC seed from seedlings from the MC at SFA. Lou and I also collected seed from some of the hybrids when we were up there recently though I don't remember which ones. I have four seedlings growing from 502 and one from 405 from seed that I collected off my hybrids.

This post was edited by ltruett on Sun, Dec 14, 14 at 21:18

If you would want to part with seed let me know and I would be interested. Either MC or hybrid.

I'm a cold zone 7 and we did hit zero to slightly below last winter a couple times, however.

Hairmetal

Give me your info and I'll mail some seed to you.

Conifer hybrids are rare but if you look at the Leylands & related hybrids, they seem to take after the hardier parent in that respect. The supposedly more tender "Cupressus X ovensii" did absolutely fine for me this winter; not 10 miles away as the crow flies you started to see typical leylands in open fields were damaged. I myself would have no concerns about these MC X BC hybrids in the DC area.