Getting Unplanted Perennials and Shrubs Through the Winter

Help! I took advantage of all the great clearance pricing at my local nursery. Now I have more plants than I know what to do with. How can I get the many perennials and shrubs I purchased through the winter so that I can plant them in the spring?

You’re not alone. Many gardeners, myself included, have no problem filling up cart and car while on a late season visit to the nursery. Try heeling in excess plants in vacant areas in the landscape. Start with sheltered locations to further increase your ovewintering success. Dig a trench large enough to house all your pots. Set the pots in the ground, making sure the lip of the container is even with the soil level. Cover with soil and water throughout the fall as needed. Once the ground freezes cover the plants and soil with straw, marsh hay or evergreen boughs for a layer of added insulation.

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