When the days are getting shorter and the first night frosts are on the horizon, many gardeners ponder which plants to move to a warm winter quarters. What about purple loosestrife, for example? Can he hibernate outside or will freezing temperatures damage him?
Loosestrife in the meadow copes well with sub-zero temperatures
Loosestrife - a native ornamental plant
Purple loosestrife is native and grows along riverbanks and in boggy and swampy areas. So he's used to the local climate. It prefers to thrive in the sun, but partial shade is also tolerated. If it is too dark for him, he usually does not reach his maximum growth height of 2 m. The flowering is also smaller.
Note: In the autumn after flowering, small seeds form in the withered inflorescences, with the help of which loosestrife multiplies rapidly in winter. To prevent large-scale spread, remove all faded parts of the plant.
Is purple loosestrife hardy?
Since it is a native plant, loosestrife can withstand frosty temperatures. Nevertheless, the location for hibernation plays a decisive role. In the garden bed, the perennial can spend the winter outdoors without any protective measures. However, if it grows near water, there is a risk of frost damage in sub-zero temperatures.
Overwinter purple loosestrife as a bank plant
This is how you overwinter your purple loosestrife correctly, if necessary:
- Dig up the plant before the first frost
- Place root ball in a bucket of water
- Store in a cool place
- Staircases or garages are suitable as winter quarters
Note: If the capacities in the house are not sufficient, you can alternatively plant the purple loosestrife in the garden bed. The following spring, dig it up again and put it in its usual spot in the garden pond.
Hibernation in bucket
Loosestrife can also survive the winter in the garden or on the balcony in a bucket. However, you should make sure that the substrate does not freeze completely, so that an adequate water supply is guaranteed. Insulate the bucket with foil or brushwood. Another requirement is that the bucket has a large capacity.