- Frost-resistant in our latitudes
- Equip with winter protection in extreme times
- It is better to protect young, freshly propagated plants
- Prune before the onset of winter
In addition to anticipation for the gardening season, spring often also awakens melancholy - namely when you see how some plants have frozen to death due to severe frost. Can this also happen with the blue cushion or is this plant immune to frost damage?
Blue cushions can cope with temperatures of up to minus 20 degrees
Frost-resistant in our latitudes
Although the blue cushion comes from the Mediterranean and the Near East, it tolerates frost extremely well. This is probably due to the fact that it is at home in mountainous areas (preference for lime) where it can get frosty cold.
The blue cushion, which is considered to love warmth, can cope with temperatures down to -20 °C if it is in a sheltered location. Thanks to its good frost resistance, it can be cultivated in this country for several years.
Equip with winter protection in extreme times
You should only protect your blue pillow if there is a sharp drop in temperature in winter. If you learn from the weather forecast that temperatures will fall below -15 °C, you should cover the plant as a precaution and as a precaution. Rice is well suited for this.
But beware: remove the protective layer immediately when the temperatures rise. If there is a protective layer on the blue cushion for too long, fungi have an easy time and attack the evergreen plant. Getting rid of them can be a hairy affair…
It is better to protect young, freshly propagated plants
Not only extreme times are a reason to protect blue cushions in winter. Furthermore, all young plants should be protected when it gets frosty. If you only sown the blue cushion in the summer or propagated it with cuttings, winter protection is advisable.
The shoots of the young plants are not yet fully mature and are therefore more susceptible to frost damage. Protect them in winter with, for example:
- brushwood
- fir and spruce branches
- a layer of compost
- fleece
- or foliage
Prune before the onset of winter
It should not be forgotten that the blue cushion is best cut before the onset of winter. However, this is only recommended if you missed the pruning in summer. Pruning removes old shoots that could increase the risk of mold and wintertime rot.
tips
Since blue cushions are evergreen, they should also be supplied with water in winter. Yellow discoloration of the leaves indicates excessive drought.