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what to do with potted perennials in winter, check these out | How do you winterize perennial potted plants?

By Andrew Walker

Overwintering Techniques
The general consensus seems to be that the best way to overwinter containerized perennials is to take the entire pot and bury it in the ground. You can overwinter them by moving the pots into a cold frame or unheated garage for the winter after the first hard frost.

How do you winterize perennial potted plants?

Bury the pots or bring them inside.

Alternatively, bring the pot into an unheated, not-too-bright interior space, such as a garage or cold cellar. (It needn’t be completely dark.) Lightly water the plant occasionally over the winter, just enough to make sure that the soil doesn’t completely dry out.

How do you keep potted plants alive in the winter?

Wrap pots in burlap, bubble wrap, old blankets or geotextile blankets. It isn’t necessary to wrap the entire plant because it’s the roots that need shielding. These protective coverings will help to trap heat and keep it at the root zone.

What do you do with perennial plants in winter?

Once your perennials start to lose their leaves, die back and go dormant, you can go ahead and cut them back in late fall or early winter. By cutting them back to 6‐8” above ground the stem will be able to hold snow in place which helps to insulate your plants.

Do perennials in pots come back every year?

Re-Potting Perennials

When using perennial plants, they can remain in the pot for at least two seasons before re-potting them into a larger one. Or the perennials can be divided and re-planted back into the same pot with fresh soil-less mix.

Can perennials survive winter in pots?

You can overwinter potted perennials by placing them in an unheated garage or shed – this can protect the plant from extreme fluctuations. Check on the pot occasionally to make sure it doesn’t dry out, and don’t keep them somewhere that is heated – all perennials need a period of dormancy.

Should I cut back my perennials for winter?

Cutting back perennials in the fall is not only a great way to keep flowerbeds looking neat and tidy through winter, but it also aids greatly in keeping plants vibrant and blooming the following year. Removing spent foliage and blooms helps a plant focus on recharging it’s roots and resources.

Should perennials be covered in winter?

Many perennials hardy for your zone make it through winter just fine with no special attention. That snow is preventing the soil from warming rapidly, keeping the perennials dormant until growing season has truly arrived. Protecting hardy perennials is good insurance against a harsh winter.

Should I cut back perennials in the fall?

Cutting old and diseased foliage in the fall helps a perennial jump right into new growth come spring. But some plants need their foliage for protection over the winter and instead should be pruned in the spring. Know your plant’s particular care requirements for the best results.

Should I cover my perennials?

If a sudden cold snap shows up in the forecast after you’ve planted, you can always cover them overnight to be on the safe side. If you do cover plants – be it new or tender perennials or annual flowers or vegetables – cover only overnight. Remove your covering once the temperature goes above freezing the next day.