Almost all perennials are perennial and hardy. Nevertheless, you should prepare your perennial bed for winter before winter sets in so that the perennials can survive any frost. How to do this and a list of the most beautiful hardy perennials can be found below.
Perennials should never be cut back before winter
What does hardy mean?
Hardy does not mean that the perennials survive any sub-zero temperatures. There are also classifications for winter hardiness - in zones:
| Zone | temperature |
|---|---|
| Z1 | Below -45.5°C |
| Z2 | -45.5 to -40.1°C |
| Z3 | -40.1 to -34.5°C |
| Z4 | -34.5 to -28.9°C |
| Z5 | -28.8 to -23.4°C |
| Z6 | -23.4 to -17.8°C |
| Z7 | -17.8 to -12.3°C |
| Z8 | -12.3 to -6.7°C |
| Z9 | -6.7 to -1.2°C |
| Z10 | -1.2 to +4.4°C |
| Z11 | Above +4.4°C |
Therefore, the term "hardy" is not particularly clear, since even a plant with hardiness zone 11 can carry this designation. So pay attention to the additions, which can either be in the form of temperature specifications (hardy to -20°C), adjectives (very hardy) or zones (hardy Z7).
For your perennial bed, it is best to choose plants with a winter hardiness of at least zone 7, i.e. around -15°C. Even if the ideal winter hardiness varies slightly depending on the region: Since it rarely gets colder than -18°C in flat areas like Berlin or Brandenburg, perennials with a winter hardiness for zone 7 are sufficient. In cooler regions, such as in the foothills of the Alps, it should be more Perennials with a hardiness up to zone 6 can be planted.
Prepare the perennial bed for winter
Most perennials are very hardy. But to protect them from frost and cold, you should take the following measures in autumn and winter:
- Don't cut back your perennials before winter! Withered leaves and stems protect the roots from the cold. If you cut back plants with hollow stems, moisture will also penetrate the perennial and it can rot.
- Cover your perennial bed with giant and/or foliage, especially around the root area of your perennials.
- Don't forget to water your perennial bed in winter (on frost-free days). Perennials are more likely to dry up in winter than freeze to death.
Evergreen perennials
It is clear that the perennial bed does not look particularly appealing in winter. However, you can spice up the dreary, sad sight by planting wintergreen perennials with frost hardy leaves on your perennial bed, such as:
- Runner-forming Waldsteinia
- Colorful purple bells
- fat man
- Sweet Violet
- spring rose
- lily cluster
- Small periwinkle
- Black snake beard
- star moss
- thyme
- Wintergreen lavender varieties