Tammy, I overwinter my seedlings and new rooted cuttings in one of those little greenhouses I got from Ace Hardware and they've done just fine for several years that way. I like the little greenhouse for several reasons: they get plenty of light, keeps them warm, keeps them moist, protects them from drying wind, and you can open and close the zipper door in the spring to keep them from cooking inside or freezing at night. I keep mine against the back, south facing wall of the house all winter. Find a good sheltered spot for yours and leave them in it. Get a small thermometer so you can keep watch on the temps inside. I got one for a fish tank for a couple of bucks at Walmarts I think. Occasionally check them for water through the winter. You don't want them to dry out. They should do fine.

I know better, almost never got the first person to pay me. I didn't use to have any problem with swaps, 1 or 2 out of 30 or so would not uphold their end of the agreement but this is ridiculous. I sent extra stuff, like plumeria, epi cuttings, stuff to fill in the boxes and after bugging me about shipping for weeks they won't even reply now. Good luck on finding cuttings. It is a lot of work to mail plants, I sent rooted cuttings, you have to wrap and protect them, go get boxes, go mail boxes, $$$ involved, not cheap anymore. BAH!

In your zone they need to be dug up. I've always stored them in pots but I think you would be alright if you wrap the rootball in burlap. I cut my brugs back before taking them inside (you can root the cuttings). Depending on how big they are I usually cut them back to about 10". Some I'll just cut back all the green growth and leave more of the woody stems. Any green growth will shrivel during dormancy and there's a chance of it rotting so you want to remove it along with any new growth that's put out while dormant (they often put out weak new shoots while being wintered over). It doesn't need any light and water it sparingly, maybe a cup a month. I let my lantanas and coleus die over the winter so I couldn't help you with those. Karyn

Brian, Brugmansia cannot be left in the ground over winter in our area. They need to be brought indoors to a frost free area. They can be kept indoors in a heated home but are susceptible to spider mites there. I keep mine in my cold cellar which does not freeze. I water each one about a cup of water every 3 or 4 weeks. The plant will tell you if it is too dry. We just want to keep it alive, but definitely not wet, or it will rot. It sounds like you are on the right track.