How to Prepare Perennials for Winter

Good winter care of perennials will help plants survive the cold season and be ready to grow and bloom in spring.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Straws
• Bypass Pruners
• Compost
• Compost

In Climates Where It Regularly Freezes

1. Leave stems on the plant throughout the winter to protect the crown - the part of the plant at ground level where stem meets root.

2. Mulch over herbaceous plants - those that die back completely during the winter - with a loose layer of leaves or straw.

3. Wait until early spring to uncover plants and cut off old growth; use bypass pruners.

In Climates Where It Occasionally Freezes

4. Leave stems on the plant throughout the winter to protect the crown - the part of the plant at ground level where stem meets root.

5. Mulch around but not on top of the plants with 3 inches of organic compost to keep the roots from staying too wet and to keep winter weeds from growing.

6. Wait until late winter to cut back the old stems; use bypass pruners.

on 8/8/2006 I have left the stems on plants over the winter because of the cold. I found it to be a bad idea. In spring hordes of field mice emerge from their cozy nests in the plant stems and residue.
Leave iris leaves standing and you are asking for trouble with the plants aside from Mr & Mrs. Mouse.
The clean up can be overwhelming, as one has to be careful not to damage the emerging new plants while removing the old.

on 6/30/2006 Where it freezes regularly:
I have left the stems on plants over the winter because of the cold. I found that to be a bad idea. In spring, hordes of field mice emerge from their cozy nests in the plant stems and residue.
Leave iris leaves standing and you are asking for trouble with the plants, aside from the mice. The clean up can be overwhelming, as one has to be careful not to damage the emerging new plants while removing the old.