Sensitive plants such as roses and young fruit trees need adequate protection against frost in winter. We explain how to put it on correctly.
Most garden plants have the advantage that they endure the weather well in both summer and winter. They are called hardy. Other plants, on the other hand, do not tolerate cold or excessive moisture. They must therefore be protected separately. These include above all:
- Young fruit trees
- Rosaceae
- Ornamental Trees
- Evergreen Shrubs
- Deciduous dwarf shrubs
- Palm Family
- Rock Garden Plants
- Ornamental Grasses
- potted plants
- Herb and vegetable garden
In addition to the plants mentioned, other plants can also be equipped with additional winter protection, for example to protect them against heavy snowfall.
What are the options for winter protection?
The market offers a wide range of different accessories that can be used for winter protection. This includes bags made of jute or burlap. Older sheets can also be used to cover some plants. As a supplement, hobby gardeners also use a special fleece that does not let the cold get to the plants, or wrap them with thin mats made of coconut fibers.
In addition, nature also offers suitable material to protect the plants effectively. This includes, for example, fir branches and dry leaves that were swept up in autumn.
Preparing garden plants for winter
In the following list you will find tips and hints on how to winterize your plants in the garden:
Plant | Description |
---|---|
Trees | • should be protected against heavy snowfall • loosely tie the branches together with a string • ideal for thujas, columnar junipers or yews • the wood is located too close to the wall of the house, it is • ideally protected against falling roof avalanches with a tent-like slatted framel |
Rose Roses | • especially protect the crown of the plants, where the grafting point islocated • wrap with fleece or put on a jute bag • additionally shade with pine branches at the root |
young fruit trees / ornamental trees | • Due to their thin bark, they are particularly vulnerable when the winter sun shines in • Frost cracks in the bark can be prevented with a coat of lime, as this reflects the sun's rays • Ornamental trees can be fitted with jute strips on the trunk be wrapped around, or a cane mat |
evergreen shrubs | • e.g. camellias, Mediterranean snowball or copper photinia • they suffer from sun exposure or drought damage • these are indicated by a brownish color in the shoot tips • If possible, cover the root area with mulch up to 30 centimeters to protect them from frost |
Deciduous Dwarf Shrubs | • Lavender, cistus, beard flower • Sensitive to winter moisture • Create good conditions when planting using sandy and well-drained soil • Cover with fir branches in winter • apply additional mulch layer at the root |
Palm Family | • very sensitive to moisture • tie up leaves and protect with a straw cushion • cover above with foil • in severe frost, cover the roots thickly with mulch and the trunk with it Wrap fleece or cane mats |
Rock Garden Plants | • are sensitive to frost • cover with synthetic fleece • protect individual plants with fir branches or a layer of leaves |
Ornamental Grasses | • sensitive to moisture • dried tuft of leaves is tied together with the tips of the leaves • cover with leaves to protect against rain • additionally stabilize with fir branches |
potted plants | • are usually overwintered in the basement or conservatory • if this is not possible, place the pot in a large wooden box • this is about ten centimeters high with bark mulch all around filled • the rest is filled with leaves • the best storage place is on a house wall, where they are protected from precipitation or strong winds |
Herb Garden / Vegetable Garden | • cover sensitive species such as rosemary with brushwood, or pull over an old wicker basket • cut back the shoot tips of sage • when cultivating chard or kale it is worth laying out a layer of mulch • optional is a mixture of foliageand compost also possible |
Protective measures for garden pond plants
The plants in the garden pond should also be given appropriate protection. Ideally, they are cut back in the fall, which applies to both the plants at the edge and those that are more in the middle of the pond.
To give the plants further protection, you should also ensure that any sludge that may be present is removed. A so-called ice preventer ensures sufficient oxygen, which not only helps the fish during the winter, but also the plants.
» Recommended reading: Keeping the garden pond free of ice - 5 effective methods presented