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Should I cover crown of cut back perennials with cuttings and leaves

Ben CBen C Posts: 19
in Problem solving
I have just cut back a Japanese Anemone to the crown at soil level. I was wondering if it would be beneficial to the plant for me to cover the exposed freshly cut crown with the non-diseased stem cuttings and old leaves from a cherry tree in the garden. Is this a good idea or will it cause the crown problems such as infection or disease? I wasn't sure if it's best to leave them exposed.

Same question applies to Arum Lillys I just cut back to soil level as well. Is your advice the same for both plants?

Posts

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Leave the JA alone, they are totally hardy.
    Arum lillies are not all hardy. Either cover the crowns, or dig them up and put them in a greenhouse.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Agree withdoc - no need for protection with J. anems. They'll cope with everyone.
    If you mulch generally in a border, leave the crowns of perennials clear , as sometimes a mulch will help retain moisture in the crowns of certain plants and cause rotting.
    Arums are different.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Ben CBen C Posts: 19
    Thank you to both of you!
  • Ben CBen C Posts: 19
    And in terms of covering the Arums to protect and insulate them, is it ok to use dead leaves and the cuttings from the plants I cut back?
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Assuming you mean the hardy kind of arum lily,  the RHS suggests exactly that kind of material, tho also that it is anchored down:  https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=177
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Ben CBen C Posts: 19
    Yes they've been outdoors for at least 2 years. I have just moved in and taken them on. Thanks for the link
  • Nanny BeachNanny Beach Posts: 8,719
    I have the white arum lillies which are hardy, (watch the sap on your skin) and the coloured variety which arent meant to be, last year I forgot them, they survived in March at minus 12 at night, which they arent meant to do!
  • Ben CBen C Posts: 19
    Yes, I think these are white arums and I get the impression they have been in the garden for at least 2 years. I don't expect the previous owners were the types to dig them up each winter so they must be hardy enough to survive on their own. Fingers crossed anyway.
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