The great thing about exotic, or specifically day neutral plants, is that they have no idea that winter is coming. So while the weather is mild they just keep on growing and getting better and better, blissfully unaware that it will all end, very soon.
I’ve been watching the forecast for any sign of a cold spell on the way, but decided today that I can’t leave the job any longer – it’s time to dismantle the exotic garden and put it to bed. Seems a shame really – it looks fantastic!
Anyway, for the record, this is what I’ve done:
Cyperus papyrus, Colocasia Black Magic and Colocasia fontanesii – packed in trays of compost (the Cyperus is in a polystyrene frozen fish trough thingy, the others are in black nursery crates) in the greenhouse topped with straw. I keep the greenhouse just above zero with an electric heater.
More Colocasias, Canna indica, Canna Stuttgart, Thalia dealbata, more Cyperus papyrus – in a straw lined cold frame in the polytunnel, which is unheated.
One of each of Cyperus papyrus, Colocasia fontanesii and Canna indica left outside and mulched with straw,
Two small Musa basjoo repotted and in the polytunnel, two larger ones left out
All the Dicksonia left out – to be wrapped up
Two smaller Ensete murielii taken in, one large one left out
One small Cycad taken in, the large one left out and wrapped up
Tetrapanax left out
I’ll split the Arundos and take some in as an insurance policy
Salvia patens ‘Guanojuato’ – bits in all places and some left outside
Dahlias -all the ones outside are staying out and I’ll mulch with straw.
BTW – a big bale of straw – more than I can use really – £3.25. Cheap insulation!
While on the subject of overwintering, I’ve built a carrot clamp – first time experiment so we’ll see how that goes:
The clamp is a raised earth bed, followed by layers of straw, carrots, earth, straw, carrots…
…topped off with a mound of earth. Which would be just fine, except that the chickens can’t resist newly turned soil…
.. so I’ve added a fleece cover, partly for additional insulation, but mostly to discourage the chickens
One Response to “Overwintering experiments”
Hi Sue,
I've left my Thalia dealbata out for the last 3 years and it seems fine, I've got several big clumps in the pond and another just in the garden, with last years hard winter I thought it would be a gonner, but no its better than ever this year!!
Hope your ok, Ive had a year off, but I'm hoping to put some effort in and get ready for next year soon!!
Elaine