This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.
Wrapping up my gunnera!
Sertolicell
Posts: 29
in Plants
Hi! I planted a young Gunnera Manicata earlier this summer, and its grown well. I would like some advise on how best to protect it over winter. We are in the Midlands, so although it is planted in quite a sheltered spot, it does get frost and potentially quite cold. Just want to give it the best chance or surviving the winter! Was worried about it rotting if I cover it with straw?? And when would you cover it? Many thanks xx
0
Posts
Nobody have any ideas?
Hi Sertolicell, this link should help, scroll down to see what to do in winter.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/details?plantid=890
Hi Sertolicell,
I just fold the leaves of the plant over mine in the winter but I'm in Cornwall so a bit warmer than you.
They're from Brazil and don't like frost so I would guess that in the Midlands you will need to do more than just wrap the leaves over the crown. I had one a few years ago that was wiped out by a surprise -8C after surviving -25C the winter before when I had buried it in 3' of garden compost.
I now have a new one which I am growing in a pot. Each spring it gets a bigger pot and then spends the winter submerged in the greenhouse with fleece and cardboard over the top when it's set to get really cold. Once the pot gets too big to move I shall plant it in the border and give it the 3' of compost treatment. Yu might get away with rather les scompost but it will still appreciate a blanket of some sort.
That's great thanks - I know its a bit of a risk planting it here, but I just love them! Heres hoping!!! xxx
They are hardy as long as you protect the crown. As mentioned just cut off the large leaves and cover the crown with it and remove in spring. East peasy!