Help plants through winter
Kirsty Wilson is a supervisor at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and a presenter on BBC’s The Beechgrove Garden
A tender plant won’t survive winter outdoors in the UK, as it’s sensitive to frost and cold temperatures. Some plants are killed by just a light frost, while others can cope with long periods of low temperatures or harsh frosts. Some are killed by the combination of winter cold and wet weather.
Understanding a plant’s hardiness (how it copes with low temperatures) will help you select the right plants for your garden and ensure you know whether they need to be brought indoors during the colder months.
Q Which plants need winter protection and how can I provide it?
Any plants that aren’t hardy, which includes tender perennials (for example salvias, pelargoniums and cannas) and other plants from warmer climates, such as many succulents. If you’re not sure how hardy your plants are, cross check them against the RHS’s chart at bit.ly/RHS-hardiness to see the temperatures they will stand.
Tender plants in smaller pots can easily be moved under cover in winter. However, larger plants such as bananas and tree ferns, either in the ground or in pots that are too big to move, need to be protected with materials such as horticultural fleece, hessian or straw. Just remember to remove the insulation when mild weather returns, to prevent the plants sweating under the extra layers.
Q Is it really worth looking after plants over winter? I usually just buy new ones each spring Looking after tender plants from year to year isn’t difficult and will save money. This will allow you to make other gardening purchases in spring. So if you have the space, it’s worth having a go at overwintering tender plants.
Q How can I make the most of my limited indoor space?
The best place to overwinter tender plants is in a warm but bright location in your home. A windowsill facing east, south or west is ideal. You can cut back some tender plants by half (such as salvias and pelargoniums) before bringing them under cover so they take up less space.
While indoors, these plants need just a little ongoing care. Regularly turn the pots to prevent plants growing in one direction as they reach for the light. And water them occasionally, but only when the compost dries out.
Q We don’t usually get frost where I live. Should I still worry?
In a climate as changeable and varied as the UK’s, it’s best to always keep an eye on your local weather forecasts, particularly when temperatures are near freezing. Then you can take rapid action if unusual weather is due.