Cold comfort With consideration and care, many plants can make it through winter

Shrubs and blooms brighten up the veranda during the summer, but what do we do with them? Quite low temperatures damage the plants by freezing the liquid in and between cells and the water is the first to freeze when the temperature sinks slowly. Many plants can survive this if the procedure occurs slowly. But if there is in immediate freeze,canada goose online outlet. the water inside and outside freezes at once, and far more serious damage is caused by this. Continental winters are better once winter's frigid grasp places in, it stays this way, so plants know where the stand. But our winter weather is much more demanding. Scotland's regular freeze-thaw pattern as our plants need to keep adapting to the changes, is mighty trying. Plants in containers find it harder to face these challenges.

In the open earth, land temperature rarely freezes below the top few centimetres and is really steady, but no such protection is offered by containers. Compost below zero and close to the edge constantly swings above, which damages or kills roots. So, group containers together. And our rain rots the peaks, soaks the plants and may drown the roots. So keep a watch on moisture amounts and be especially alert during a prolonged wet spell. The earth ought to be damp, but never wet. When wet is followed by a cold snap, surplus water freezes and expands, breaking roots and possibly cracking terracotta pots. Wooden boards or a couple old slates would do.

Leave slow -growing potted perennials, like Portuguese laurel, to deal with winters that are dreadful. And some herbs, such as thyme hyssop and winter savoury, should come through outdoors. Even a bay tree that are borderline may survive a balmy Scottish winter. I used to bring my bay to the greenhouse, but it'd not grown so small that last winter I left it inside the veranda. It lived, nestling against a south-facing wall and with all the promise of a fleece duvet if necessary. And half-hardy specimens, just like the fuchsias Fairy Blue, and Velvet Crush, using its strong burgundy blossoms might have to go the same way. It is undoubtedly easier, if a lot more expensive, to treat fuchsias along with other tender shrubs but for those who have greenhouse or conservatory space, you could attempt overwintering them.

During the dormant season, fuchsias do not need light, so a frost free shed should work. , in my expertise, fuchsias can endure temperatures that are much lower than that, although the best temperature is 10C. I cut out any dead plant life and prop up growing with sections of twig to prevent rotting foliage damaging the crowns. This additionally creates a micro climate round the plant. The compost ought to be nearly, although not totally, dry to support dormancy. In April, re-pot the fuchsias, rather using home-made compost, harden off and put outside once frosts are past.

Who knows, you might wind up with a few plants that are buckshee. Pelargoniums (geraniums) are also tender so can not survive a winter that is Scottish. I always supply greenhouse space and haven't lost any during the severest of weathers. They'll subsequently put new leaf growth in the spring as well as bloom earlier in the summertime on. Over winter keep the plants very dry, with just a splash of water on a balmy day.