Most of the perennials are hardy. Nevertheless, you should consider a few aspects and implement measures so that your plants survive the cool season unscathed. In our article you will learn how to optimally protect the perennials in your garden.

Some perennials could use some winter protection

Is a hibernation aid necessary at all?

Once winter is around the corner, most perennials fall into hibernation. Some species are absolutely frost-resistant, so they do not necessarily need wintering aids.

But: Even hardy perennials can be damaged, namely by dying of thirst. This is a point that hobby gardeners often underestimate.

Perennials must not die of thirst

In general, winter damage to perennials does not primarily result from freezing, but from dying of thirst. The power of the winter sun is greater than you would think. she

  • dries up the plants
  • lets them “burn” on frozen ground and
  • generates considerable temperature differences between day and night.

All these influences are not exactly conducive to the health of perennials - quite the opposite. For this reason, we advise you to cover your plants over the winter period, regardless of whether they are frost-sensitive specimens. The cover alone serves to provide the perennials with pleasant shade.

Which materials are suitable for the cover

To protect the roots of perennials, you can, for example

  • Leaves,
  • brushwood or
  • straw

use.

Important: Remove the cover in good time - before the perennials sprout again in spring, i.e. in February or at the latest in early to mid-March. If you leave the winter protection on or off for too long, the increasingly warmer weather promotes dangerous fungal infestation and pests.

Frost-sensitive versus hardy perennials

From what has been said so far, it is clear that all perennials ultimately need some winter protection in order to survive the frosty period. However, there is definitely a difference when it comes to dealing with frost-sensitive and hardy perennials.

  • Hardy perennials can be left outside in winter.
  • Plants that are sensitive to frost should be moved to a milder winter quarters.

General measures for efficient winter protection

  • Stop using (nitrogen-heavy) fertilizing by July at the latest.
  • Leave dead leaves on the perennials until early spring.
  • Only cut the perennials in spring, unless they are early bloomers.

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