Winter aid - yes or no?
With the onset of winter, most of the perennials fall into the Hibernation. Many species and varieties are completely hardy, so that they do not necessarily need a winter aid.
also read
- Winterizing perennials - this is how it works
- Hibernate perennials - this is how it works
- Proper care of the herbaceous lobelia
Note: Only frost-sensitive perennials need to be moved to milder winter quarters in order to protect them from frost damage.
You can leave all other perennials in the garden without hesitation. Freshly planted perennials in autumn but you should definitely cover the root area, for example with
- Leaves,
- Sticks or
- Straw.
But is it better to cover all the perennials?
There is a good reason, despite the reliable winter hardiness of almost all perennials, every plant in the Covering winter: Most winter damage does not result from freezing, but from Dying of thirst. Some hobby gardeners tend to underestimate the power of the winter sun a little. In fact, it can do a lot of damage to the perennials:
- Winter sun dries out plants
- Winter sun causes plants to "burn" on frozen ground
- Winter sun creates large temperature differences between day and night
Perennials cannot cope with all these influences. It is therefore advisable to give the plants a shady cover. This can give them soothing relief.
Further winter protection measures
Here are two recommendations on how you can make your perennials fit for the winter:
- Listen in good time with the (nitrogen-stressed) Fertilize on - in July at the latest.
- Leave the withered leaves on the plants until early spring.
Extra: Do not cut perennials before winter
Unless they are early bloomers, you should get yours Cut perennials only in spring, and that is why:
- Frost protection
- no bare beds in the cool season
- attractive fruit and seed heads
- Birds and beneficial insects benefit
Especially when the fruit and seed heads of the perennials are covered with hoarfrost or snow in winter, they conjure up a wonderfully beautiful sight in your garden.
Remove the cover in good time
Remove the winter protection before the perennials sprout again - in February or at the latest in March. When the weather becomes warmer, the cover promotes fungal growth and pests.
