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Perennials—Winter Protection of. Perennials should have agood mulch of well-rotted manure, straw, leaves, etc., applied just be- fore freezing weather, in a late fall, and at the beginning of freezingweather in an early fall. In reality, it is not as essential, as we oftenassume it to be, that perennial borders, regardless of the material theycontain or the type of soil in which the perennials are planted, shouldbe mulched during the winter months. There are hundreds of gardenswhich pass through the winter without any protection whatsoeverbeing given to the plants. These gardens are not, however, thosewhich are developed on clay loam soil. The general feeling is thatplants are mulched and given this winter protection because otherwisethey would not be hardy. Quite to the contrary, most of these per-ennials are hardy, and as a matter of fact it is rarely possible thatany amount of mulching such as is ordinarily provided for the gardencan make any perennial hardy which is not by nature perfectly hardyin the climatic and exposed condition where it is growing. Everyperson who is responsible for the mulching of a perennial gardenshould use only a loose texture of material for mulching purposes.When mulching perennials place stakes beside small plants and thosewhich begin growth late in the spring. This will prevent any losswhen the mulch is spaded in or removed in the spring. Perennialswith persistent leaves should not be mulched with anything which willmat down. This applies to foxgloves, hollyhocks, sweet williams, andviolas. Cornstalks and leaves which drop late are best for such amulch. Boxes filled with leaves may be inverted over plants; but whenthis is done the top should be watertight or damage may follow. Sometender plants such as pansies and snapdragons may be carried over thewinter if a heavy mulch is applied before freezing weather appears. |
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