Sensitive to cold: which garden plants must be covered for the winter

Not all garden plants are hardy enough to survive the frosty winter. The last month of fall is not the time to relax, as you need to prepare perennials for the cold.

Usually, you need to start making a shelter when the air temperature drops to 5-7 °C. You will need coniferous branches, spunbond, fallen leaves, and burlap. But you shouldn't use polyethylene to cover flowers, as plants can die due to insufficient air circulation. OBOZ.UA tells you what to cover in the garden for the winter.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are finicky flowers that do not tolerate frost. Be sure to cover large-leaved varieties to prevent their flower buds from freezing out. Panicle and tree-like varieties can be covered for the winter. It is better to first build a frame over the plant, and then cover it with a material with sufficient air permeability.

Irises

Irises are very sensitive to frost. Experienced gardeners advise covering the flowers for the winter with coniferous branches, straw, peat or spunbond.

Clematis

First, clematis should be removed from their supports. Then you should lay them out on a wooden floor or cover them with coniferous branches. You can also wrap the plants in spunbond and cover them with leaves or pine needles.

Lavender

Lavender can withstand summer drought, but in winter it often struggles. The plant is native to the southern regions, so it is very sensitive to a drop in temperature. Breeders have bred several varieties that are resistant to frost, but if you don't have frost-resistant lavender, you'll have to cover it for the winter. You can tie branches to the plant and cover it with coniferous branches or spunbond.

Onion flowers

Lilies, daffodils, tulips, and other bulbous flowers are best covered with coniferous branches. Straw, on the other hand, should not be used as it can attract mice.

Peonies

Tree peony varieties and hybrid species are the most sensitive to frost. The common peony is not at all afraid of a drop in temperature, so it can be left unprotected for the winter. First, you need to remove dry leaves, tie the stems together, and then cover them with burlap.

Rhododendrons

It is recommended to make a frame over rhododendrons. The branches should be tied together, and after installing the frame, cover it with spunbond.

Roses

Hybrid varieties may not survive the winter. Climbing roses should be tied up beforehand, pine needles should be placed and covered with spunbond. For better protection, you can cover it with coniferous branches. For shrub roses, it is usually made under a frame shelter, and standard roses are wrapped with spunbond or burlap. For additional insulation of the root system after pruning, you can sprinkle the bushes with peat.

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