Gunnera manicata - dead or alive?

james-HYumfQs · 24 January

So I remove the leaves and covered the crown during the frosty spell, now the sun is shining again and the warmth has returned. I have uncovered. I also put some membrane over it in the really cold evenings and days. There is red under the crown outer but I don't know whether it's had it. They usually come back in late spring I think so I will keep an eye until then though. Going by the looks of it, does anyone think it has suffered too much cold?
Thanks!

I know they seem to be considered in nuisance plant and I'll be in removed in some parts of the country. This was an extremely healthy plant last year that I thought would look good in the corner of this jungle themed area at the school, as the soil is not in full, sun has good drainage but is nice and moist when it rains.

Loxley · 24 January

Only time will tell. If it was covered during the frost it should be OK, assuming you're not in some extremely cold part of the UK.

GardenerSuze · 24 January

I agree, I have dug up plants in spring thinking that they were dead only to find healthy roots and a plant about to emerge. Unless you have a soft squigy mush all is well.

thevictorian · 24 January

Being invasive in certain areas doesn't mean they aren't fabulous garden plants for others. Time will tell if it regrow but they can easily cope with several degrees below zero when young and are even hardier when mature. A nice covering of insulating material is a good idea in the first few years and then you can just bend the foliage over to protect the crown.

Hostafan1 · 24 January

Looks fine to me. Give it a squeeze. If it's firm under the outer layer it's good to go

Gunnera manicata - dead or alive?

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