Selection | Propagation | Purchasing | Transplanting | Maintaining | Winter Protection
Perennials can be classified based on their hardiness. Hardy-perennials will normally survive the winter with little or no protection. Hardy does not, however, refer to the ability of the plant to withstand heat and drought. Tender or half-hardy perennials will survive a mild winter but may not survive a severe winter without protection.
In colder parts of the country perennial beds are often mulched to provide winter protection. For most areas of North Carolina this is not necessary. Many gardeners prefer to leave the dead foliage as a form of winter protection, however, old foliage can harbor disease and insect problems. If left over the winter, the dead foliage should be removed quite early in the spring.
A mulch should be applied to plants that are growing at the upper limits of their normal growing area. The purpose of the mulch is to help the plants remain dormant. Apply mulch only after the soil temperature has decreased following several killing frosts. If a winter mulch is applied too early, the warmth from the protected soil could cause growth to continue and become more subject to winter injury. Be careful not to pile mulch heavily over the crowns, as this would encourage rotting. Remove the winter mulch from the crown as soon as growth starts in the spring.
Prepared by: Erv Evans, Consumer Horticulturist, NC State University
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