Wintering your Plants

Wintering your Plants

Plants come with tags marked with the codes below, indicating the best wintering method(s) for each plant. We conduct rigorous trials to determine the best wintering procedures for each plant for our climate. For success in maintaining your pond plants, these directions must be followed.

Winter type H – plants are completely hardy – leave at same depth in pond summer and winter.

Winter type L – plants are hardy as long as roots do not freeze – put on bottom of pond for winter – at least 2 feet of water over top of pot. Raise to summer level in early spring.

Winter type K – semi -hardy – may survive for several years if put on bottom of pond for winter and raised to summer level in early spring.

Winter type M – plants can be wintered over inside. Remove from pond after first heavy frost, trim all foliage, put plant and pot inside a black plastic bag. Close bag tightly. Put in cool dark place (basement) for winter. These plants must not freeze!! Check that plant stays moist all winter. In early spring plant may be started on a windowsill in a bowl of water ( does not have to be covered in water). Return to pond in spring after danger of frost is past ( late May to early June).

Winter type T – must be taken inside before first frost in fall (mid September). Treat as houseplant in winter: put plant pot inside solid container, place on windowsill or location with plenty of sunlight and warmth. Keep container topped up with water. Return to pond in spring after danger of frost is past ( late May to early June).

Winter type X – best treated as an annual – will be killed by frost. May survive over winter if treated like Winter type T but not easy to keep alive until spring.

Please note: Due to the variation in plant names and types from nursery to nursery, we regret that we can not give you a plant code for your plants over the internet. We recommend you return to the place you purchased your aquatic plants and ask for winterizing instructions.

For more information on pond winterization, come to our free winterizing seminar in October.