What outdoor potted plants can stand extreme cold?

I live in Northern Canada (mostly due to work reasons) and I have an apartment with a balcony. Sadly, it seems no one around here keeps plants outside. I like to have some green in my balcony, but with wind temperatures dropping to -60 F every day, all plants I've tried to grow out there just freeze and die.



Does anyone have a recommendation on what sort of plants are hardy enough to resist weather this cold? They must be rather small, so I can keep them in my pots.

What outdoor potted plants can stand extreme cold?
I hesitate to tell you this but you should take a hint from your neighbors. Those really are extreme conditions. If you want to try once more, a dwarf Alberta Spruce might be a possibility. I think you need to consider a fake table top Christmas tree stuck in a pot. Or bring your plants inside for the winter and use plant lights for them.
Reply:this is a bit of a smart-*** answer.. but plastic ones will survive in containers at -60 degrees.



the container offers no measure of protection for roots. in the ground, there is at least the ambient earth temperature to protect the roots, and possibly a layer of snow.



if you want green on your balcony, move... or get some fake plants. Sorry!
Reply:This may sound silly, but look at the native plants/shrubs in the area. If there's something you like, find a garden center that can provide you with all the info you'd need to overwinter it in a pot on your balcony.

Many pines, firs, and needle type trees can winter just fine in a pot. There are also a variety of Thuja's %26amp; ceanothus that will do O.K. in extreme situations. These can be purchased as shrubs that are upright growing, or prostrate, and can make very interesting additions to a balcony.

Whatever you choose, Good luck, and stay warm!
Reply:Check out the pansy and kale/cabbage varieties...they normally do extremely well in below freezign weather. Good Luck!!!
Reply:I would try thyme. It's an evergreen, and it looks great in a pot. You can even take fresh snippets and use them to cook with.
Reply:1st of all "wind chill" doesn't effect things that don't sweat.

It the wind that helps to kill outside plants/shrubs. The wind burns the leaves or needles.

Dwarf Albertas will burn on the side facing South. It's caused by the sun.

Container plants don't do well in the Winter,,"Container" is the key word. Because the plant/shrub is in a container the roots freeze solid.

If a shrub is in the ground and the ground freezes, for some reason it's not quite the same thing and the shrub survives.



Wisconsin