If you’re looking for a hardy plant to grow in your garden during the winter, consider planting one of the many species of holly. There are more than 400 species of holly, as well as countless hybrids. A classic cold weather plant, Ilex Xaltaclerensis grows up to 60 feet tall and expands to 40 feet wide. It bears bright red winter berries and has glossy, deep green pointy leaves. It’s adaptable to most soil types and tolerates wind.
Fiddle leaf plant
A fiddle leaf plant can grow to be as tall as nine feet. Unlike many other plants, this one thrives in very cold weather conditions. For best results, place it in a large, airtight container away from drafty windows and vents. To maximize humidity, place other potted plants in a similar location. Water in circular motions to ensure that all of the plant’s roots get ample moisture.
The fiddle leaf fig is a popular holiday and winter plant. Although this plant is not native to the United States, it does quite well in a climate that has cold temperatures. This plant is especially suitable for transportation and is often purchased as a gift. But be careful when bringing it home during the winter months. The cold air from the car may kill it. So, make sure to bring it with you or purchase it from a reputable online retailer.
The fiddle leaf plant can be grown by air layering and stem cuttings. To air layer, remove the outer layer of the stem, exposing the interior. This encourages new roots to grow. Once you have a section of the stem about six inches in length, cut the leaves from it. Make sure to leave a foot of stem above and below the plant to ensure good air circulation. Then, gently plant the new growth.
Coral bells
Although they’re hardy in most zones, coral bells will tolerate very cold winters in containers. They can be overwintered from January to April in zones 6b and may be overwintered in containers for even longer. Here are some tips to get you started. Plant your coral bells in containers! Ensure that they have adequate drainage holes and add gravel to the bottom of the pot.
First, make sure your coral bells get enough water. Otherwise, the foliage will start to turn brown. Make sure that they get enough water, as the foliage can turn brown in hot weather. Also, give them adequate drainage and airflow. Too much water can cause the plant to succumb to a fungal infection. And be sure to mulch your coral bells to help them survive the winter.
Once the foliage starts to show, prune them back at the base to make them grow better. The roots of coral bells are shallow, so if you don’t mulch them, they’ll be exposed to frost heaving. But if you prune them back, they’ll put on a show! The foliage can even play up nearby flowers. That means it’s a win-win situation!
Peonies
Despite their popularity, peonies are not best plants for cold weather. Although they need natural cold exposure to thrive, too much cold will damage them. Planting peonies at 0.5-two inches below the soil surface or using a substrate will prevent too much exposure to cold. If you live in a colder zone, however, plant your peonies at a deeper depth than you would in a warmer zone. Deeper planting protects the roots from freezing temperatures and will help them thrive in a cold climate.
While peonies are not the best plants for cold weather, they are among the easiest to care for and are great cut flowers. For best results, plant peonies in the spring or early summer. Depending on their variety, they may take a month or more to bloom. This is because peonies require a period of chilling in order to develop new buds. In our region, we have many early bloomers, so we can enjoy peony blooms well before our spring weather arrives. In addition to being great for bouquets, many peonies are also scented, which is an added bonus!
During the winter months, peonies will undergo dormancy. This will allow them to rejuvenate, and new buds will be formed. After the first frost, you can cut your plants to a single inch above the soil level. If you have herbaceous peonies, you may wish to prune them after the first frost, so that their winter growth is unhindered. And if you haven’t cut the plants yet, now is the time to make some changes.
Chrysanthemums
There are several different ways to care for chrysanthemums in cold weather. Early-flowering varieties can be cut back to the ground in autumn and left to overwinter in the garden. Late-flowering varieties should be potted into a loam-based compost and grown outdoors in a sunny spot. Once the flowers have faded, move them to a cool room in the house and water them well.
When growing chrysanthemums in the garden, you can take basal stem cuttings in the spring. Make sure to cut off the stems when they are six to eight centimetres high. Water the parent plant a day before you take the cuttings. Cut chrysanthemum stems with a sharp knife, making sure to remove three leaves at the top of the cutting. After removing the leaves, trim the stems to a straight finish.
Garden mums are perennial herbaceous plants of the daisy family. They come in a variety of colors. Red, orange, and yellow chrysanthemums bloom in autumn. Red-flowered plants like Tigertail, a hybrid developed in Minnesota, are the best choice for the coldest climates. The plants grow fast and should bloom in the first year, depending on the climate.
Nandina
The flowering spire of nandina is a stunning sight in late spring. The snow-white flowers have a pleasing scent. Care should be taken to keep the plant tidy and well-trimmed. Pruning should be done when the flowers fade, but don’t remove the entire plant! The berries may be harmful to other plants in your yard, so you should discard them in black garbage bags.
During the winter months, plant your Nandina in a frost-proof pot in the ground or pot it in. The soil should be well-drained. Add a layer of organic mulch to the soil to protect the roots from freezing. Water well before frost, and give it a light soaking every week during the hottest part of the summer. Nandina is not suitable for indoor growing, but they do require good drainage and a moderate amount of water.
In addition to its hardiness zone, Nandina is also relatively easy to grow. While many shrubs will lose their leaves in the fall, Nandina does not. This shrub originates in the mountain valleys of China, Japan, and India. It is fully hardy to H5 and does well in acidic soil. It is a beautiful plant in the garden, but be sure to protect it from high winds and windy weather.
Petunias
Despite their names, petunias are perennials and can survive cold winters. They grow in USDA zones 9 to 10. They are divided into four types: grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora, and spreading types. Depending on the variety, they will need annual treatment or protection from frost. However, once established, petunias can tolerate light frost.
Petunias are easily transplanted from indoors to outdoor environments. For best results, start petunia seeds indoors in pots and move them outdoors as soon as the weather turns colder. Fertilize once a week or once every two weeks. If they are planted in a garden bed, fertilize every three weeks. For container gardens, fertilize once a week with a liquid fertilizer.
Because they are heat-tolerant, petunias need less water than other plants. Water once a week, but only thoroughly. Don’t water too often, as this will encourage shallow roots. For best results, fertilize petunias with a balanced fertilizer once they have rooted. Apply fertilizer every two to three weeks if the flowers are small or have a lower flower count. If you’re planning to grow petunias in containers, you’ll need to apply a liquid fertilizer at mid-year to avoid root disease.
Hellebores
One of the most common questions a gardener has is: Which plants are best for cold weather? Hellebores, a type of ivy, are a popular choice. This perennial native to northern Europe, can grow in a variety of conditions and are highly ornamental. However, the plant’s name derives from the Greek words bora and helein, and the names refer to the toxic parts of the plant. As such, they should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
Since Hellebores grow slowly, they can tolerate a variety of temperatures. The best time to buy them is during their flowering season in February or March. They will produce seedlings of the same color, but you cannot guarantee they will bloom the same color as the mother plant. In addition, the plant’s foliage will droop and turn brown if it is exposed to a very harsh winter. If you want to ensure that your Hellebores will bloom at the right time, prune them back to the ground before winter sets in.
New hellebores need about an inch of water per week. This plant can be established in a pot or in the ground by rainfall, or you can manually water them. Plants in containers need a moist soil and bright light for three to four hours. During the rest of the day, they need shadier conditions. If you want to plant hellebores in pots, mulch them to prevent them from drying out. Watering is also essential in the dry summer season.
