- Which wire shrub is allowed to overwinter outside?
- Which winter quarters are suitable for non-frost hardy wire shrubs?
- How should I care for my wire shrub in winter?
- Does the wire bush need special care in spring?
With regard to winter hardiness, the types of wire shrub are quite different. While the black-fruited wire shrub, Mühlenbeckia axillaris, is moderately hardy, the white-fruited wire shrub, Mühlenbeckia complexa, only tolerates frost for a few days, so it is not necessarily hardy.
The Mühlenbeckia axillaris is moderately hardy
Which wire shrub is allowed to overwinter outside?
In a harsh area, at most, the black-fruited wire shrub should overwinter outside. However, it then needs sufficient winter protection, although it is said to be able to withstand temperatures of up to -20 °C in some cases. Cover the plant with a layer of brushwood and leaves so that it can still breathe underneath, or protect the wire bush with plant fleece.
Which winter quarters are suitable for non-frost hardy wire shrubs?
The winter quarters for the white-fruited wire shrub should be frost-free and bright. Ideally, the temperature there is around 5 °C to 10 °C. If there is too little light, it easily forms horny shoots, which should be cut off in spring. Perhaps you have a conservatory that has this temperature or a frost-free greenhouse. There the wire shrub would feel very comfortable.
How should I care for my wire shrub in winter?
The wire shrub is quite easy to care for, even in winter. He only needs a little water so that the root ball does not dry out too much. Some types are very suitable as houseplants, you should keep them a little cooler in winter. Do not fertilize the wire shrub at all until April.
Does the wire bush need special care in spring?
In the spring, uncover the wire bush that has hibernated outside early on so that it can breathe. Occasional night frosts usually do not harm it. If you repot it now, it will not need any fertilizer for some time. Otherwise, give it a slow-release fertilizer now or fertilize it monthly. If your wire bush is a ground cover, you can mow it to stimulate budding.
Wintering tips for the wire shrub:
- can hibernate outside: Mühlenbeckia axillaris
- Winter protection: leaves, brushwood or fleece
- water a little on frost-free days
- only tolerates frost for a short time: Mühlenbeckia complexa
- Possible winter quarters: cool conservatory, greenhouse
- pour little
- do not fertilize
tips
The white-fruited wire bush tolerates less frost than the black-fruited wire bush. It is therefore better to overwinter frost-free.