If the air is crisp and the ground is covered with fallen red, yellow, and orange leaves, it’s a good sign winter is on its way. It’s also a good sign for you to start thinking about overwintering your much loved First Editions^® plants. While not every variety in our collection needs added protection for the winter months, fall is an excellent time to get in the garden and assess each plant and its specific needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when overwintering your shrubs and trees.

Tiger Eyes^® Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac

Consider Your Zone

No matter the climate you live in, overwintering is something you should be aware of. Even those who live in warm climates can see winter damage on plants if there’s a lot of temperature fluctuation. Overwintering is especially important for those who live in cold climates (typically zone 6 and below), because of the extreme temperature fluctuations and snowstorms. Each site and plant are different, so we don’t have an exhaustive list of which plants need protection in each area. An excellent place to start is knowing how old your plants are. It’s best to err on the safe side and give new plants added protection. It’s also important to pay attention to the weather. If you see there’s a long stretch of cold coming your way, like the polar vortexes we’ve seen in the past few years, you’ll want to cover your plants with a sheet to protect them from frost – and that’s important no matter the climate.

Front: Strawberry Sundae^® Panicle Hydrangea
Back: White Diamonds^® Panicle Hydrangea

If you want advice for a specific plant, you can always get in contact with your local extension office. Or, feel free to message @firsteditionsshrubstrees on social, and we’ll be glad to help!

Know When to Fertilize

If you’ve been fertilizing any plants in your landscape, make sure you stop doing so by August. The purpose of fertilizer is to promote new growth. If you fertilize too late into the year, that growth will get zapped by the cold temps because new growth is tender to the cold. That’s something neither you nor your plants would like, so put down the fertilizer until next spring.

Toscana^™ Barberry

Think about roots

One of the things you want to be aware of heading into winter is your plant’s roots. Roots can become damaged by the extreme cold, especially if frozen. The best source of protection for your roots is the soil around them that acts as a natural insulator, which is lucky for us! There are a few things to keep in mind when protecting your plant’s roots.

• Wet soil is better at insulating. If you’ve been having a dry fall, make sure to water your plants thoroughly before the ground freezes. But, remember not to overwater. Only water if the soil is dry. Typically a 2-3 times a month in the fall is ideal.
• Like we said before, new plants are more tender to the winter cold. So, mulch any new plantings with around 3-4 inches of something like leaves or straw.
• Some plants, like hydrangeas, have relatively shallow roots. These plants should be mulched, especially at a young age, along the plant’s drip line.

Fun Fact

Snow is a terrific insulator! Have you ever heard the phrase “fresh blanket of snow”? Well, that’s what it is! Snow acts as a blanket for your soil by insulating and keeping temperatures consistent, making damaged roots less likely. So, if you live in a climate where it snows, think of those snowstorms as a benefit to your landscape and not just something you have to shovel off the driveway.

Centennial Blush Star Magnolia

Containers and Landscape Plants Are Not the Same

If you have the same plant in the ground as you do a container, it’s vital that you overwinter them differently. This is because the same amount of soil does not surround the container plantings as does those in the ground. Therefore, containers have less insulation around their roots and need a little extra TLC. Click here to learn more about how to prepare your First Editions^® containers for winter.

Front: Sparkling Sangria^™ Fringe Flower
Back: Vintage Jade Distylium

Overwintering your First Editions^® Shrubs & Trees isn’t and shouldn’t be hard. It just takes a little extra time in the garden in the fall. And remember, it will all be worth it when your plants thrive during a cold, snowy winter and come back even more beautiful next spring!