In zone 5, US, can I put gloxinias outside surrounded by the flower bed and hold them live as a perennial? Know they are related to African Violets, so would think the answer...
Know they are related to African Violets, so would think the answer would be NO, but be told differently by a flower shop.
You can overwinter gloxinias IF you treat them as roses; get a rose cone and mulch around the podium.
You'll have better luck if the plant is remarkably near the foundation of the house where on earth the soil does not freeze as solidly.
There is a hardy perennial gloxinia that you can grow outside, but not the one in the florist shop. They give you misinformation. Check it out:
Detailed information on Hardy Gloxinia Incarvillea delavayiInformation and 6 images for Hardy Gloxinia Incarvillea delavayi.
davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/208/
info on charitable for a florist gloxinia:
http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extnews/hortisc...
Answers: You're doing the right thing to double check on a fragile flower. I'm aware of one Gloxinia (Hardy Gloxinia, Incarvillea delavayi) i.e. hardy to Zone 6, but I'm not aware of any that are hardy to Zone 5.