Cold snap

Wildlifelover · March 2021

Hello,

Apologies if this is a silly question to ask but as I’m new to gardening, I’m unsure what the answer is.

All my perennials (which are mostly fully hardy and survived the winter) have grown nicely the past few weeks but our area is forecast snow and -1c next week - will they be ok or should I aim to provide some protection for the tender new growth?

Many thanks!

BobTheGardener · March 2021

It's not possible to generalize as it depends on the hardiness of each type of plant. If you could let us know what you have planted, we should be able to help.

Wildlifelover · March 2021

Euphorbia amb., Phlox pan., Geum, Polemonium, Monarda, Aster, Veronica spic., Veronica long., Alchemiila mol., Caryopteris, Cirsium riv., Hylotelephium, Alliums, Selinum wall., Salvia nem., Trifolium rubens, Eryngium, Campanula Taikon blue, Rudbeckia, Dianthus, Heuchera, Hebe pascal, Astrantia major, Lupins, Asiatic lilies and Hydrangea are the main ones.

Thanks.

Topbird · March 2021

I think they'll all be fine but the lovely new growth may be nipped or blackened by a frost - depends how hard the frost is and how long the cold snap lasts. If the temp falls below freezing for just an hour or two for a couple of nights it won't be too bad.

It'll be the same in all our gardens but there's no way I can run around fleecing or otherwise protecting several hundred plants. If you have anything which is particularly tender or in a particularly exposed spot you could offer that some protection.

Frost nipped plants often go a bit black or crispy at the tips but they soon put out fresh growth and the frost damaged bits can be removed if necessary.

I'm just glad my fruit trees aren't in blossom yet and the box hedge is only just starting to put out new buds. Those are often badly affected by late frosts.

Wildlifelover · March 2021

Thanks. I think at present, it’s looking like 2-3 hours dropping below freezing each morning for three days. I’ll see if the forecast improves before possibly proving some protection.

Thanks again.

Robert West · March 2021

As mentioned already, a small bit of frost won't do most plants any harm at all. It's the long spells of being frozen that kill things. A temperature of -1 for a couple of hours might crisp up some edges on leaves but it won't freeze the ground/plant solid.

Wildlifelover · March 2021

Thanks, that’s put my mind at ease! Just so I know, what would be classed as a ‘long spell’?

Borderline · March 2021

Most of the plants on the list should be fine with light frost. But be prepared for some lush growth that was brought forward a bit by recent warm weather to be damaged. You can cut them off later.

The issue tends to be newly bought plants that may have not been growing outside in the type of conditions we have had over the winter. If you have only had them recently, then protect them with fleece or similar, just to be on the safe side.

Perki · March 2021

Keep an eye on the Hebe , temperamental things hebes but for a few. Last winter was like the grim reaper for Hebe and ceanothus I've seen so many dead.

Winchester_flare · April 2021

I've got some newly planted (very small) lupins and delphinium; would putting upturned flower pots overnight give them a bit of protection. I'm in a bit of a frost bowl in Hampshire so expecting -2/-3 next week. I'm not worried about the established plants.

Lizzie27 · April 2021

It might @Winchester_flare, but pots might also attract slugs underneath. A bit of fleece loosely draped over those plants and weighed down with stones might be better or a piece of glass or polystrene propped up on stones over the top might do the trick.

Cold snap

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