How Last Winter’s Big Chill Affected Our Plants This Spring and Summer

Last winter was tough on our gardens. The extended cold and wet conditions were just too much for many plants to handle, especially for those in nurseries, where thousands didn’t make it through to spring.

The long spell of freezing temperatures was the main problem, hitting evergreens and new plants hard. Even traditionally sturdy types struggled to survive in the cold.

Green plants that are covered in frost

A main factor in the plants’ chances of survival is the type of native soil in the area:

Clay soil tends to hold onto warmth better, often retaining heat through the winter period. It is slow to warm up when spring arrives.

Sandy soil warms through quickly in the spring, encouraging rapid growth. However it loses heat rapidly through the winter, making survival more challenging.

New plants that are planted in clay soil through November often have a better chance of making it through to the spring. The additional warmth within the clay soil encourages root growth before winter really sets in.

When there is an unusually cold winter, such as the one that we experienced last year, these new plants have worse survival odds, as even the best clay soils struggle to retain any heat through such a cold snap. Those planted in the autumn of last year have all but been decimated.

New Fern Growth

Things got really bad in places where the freezing weather stuck around for weeks, especially in shady spots or those facing north, where very little sunlight could warm up the ground. These areas turned into a sort of ‘no-go zone’ for plants, showing just how harsh this winter was.

The cold weather made it tricky for gardeners too. They usually protect their plants from the cold by covering the soil with mulch after planting in autumn. But if the soil is light, like the iron stone soil found in Northamptonshire, it’s often best to wait until spring to plant. But this spring wasn’t much warmer, which caught many gardeners off guard.

The effects of this severe winter didn’t stop at our gardens, though. Plant shops have had a tough time restocking because so much was lost. Some nurseries even lost more than £50,000 worth of stock. And this wasn’t just a problem in the UK – plant sellers all over Europe faced the same challenge.

New Plant Growth

As a result, plant suppliers are struggling to keep up with demand. As soon as new plants arrive, they’re snapped up, leaving the shelves empty. There are signs that things are slowly getting better, but the plants themselves aren’t looking as good as we’d like. Usually, you’d see plenty of roots coming out the bottom of the pots, indicating the plant has had enough time to establish its root growth, but at the moment the plants that are out on sale have very few established roots.

This past winter has shown us just how much the weather can affect our plants. As we move forward, we need to think about how we can protect our plants from such harsh conditions in the future. Following a harsh winter, it’s best to wait until spring is in full swing before planting any new plants in your garden.

Which Plants Grow In Winter?

During the bitterly cold winter months, it can be hard to keep on top of your garden maintenance, especially as the vast majority of plants/flowers cannot withstand such conditions. For those looking to bring a bit of life back to their garden during this time, here are some of our picks for the best plants to grow in winter:

lily of the valley

https://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/153710989

Lily of The Valley

With its gentle, elegant appearance, the lily of the valley is actually quite deceiving. They are much more durable than they look, allowing them to withstand some rough cold conditions. They can survive even when planted in areas that have a restricted amount of sunlight, in addition to this, they have a poisonous nature that makes them resistant to attacks from deer and other animals.

winterberries

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Winter_berries_(1).jpg

Winterberries

Winterberries are one of the plants that are most commonly associated with the winter, not just because of their name. They are in fact regularly used for winter decor, a soothing red in colour, winterberries add an amazing touch of colour to your garden.

They can be planted in the autumn in order to prosper over the winter months. Please keep in mind that they must be kept in a patch of the garden that has a lot of sun, they also like to be kept in moist soil.

primrose flowers

https://www.needpix.com/photo/1845644/primroses-white-spring-primrose-plant-primrose-varieties

Primrose

The shallow roots of the primrose allow them to retain their moisture throughout the winter. Ideally, the primrose should be kept in light shade and is perfect for those looking to add a touch of elegance to their garden.

One of the main threats to primrose plants are snails and slugs, however, they can easily be kept at bay through the use of non-toxic slug bait.

pansies

https://pixabay.com/photos/pansies-flowers-pansy-spring-5280239/

Pansies

The vibrant flowers, pansies, can survive at low temperatures, although we do advise covering them in mulch or pine straw in order to protect them from a build-up of frost. If you are looking for your pansies to flower at the start of spring, there is no harm in planting them towards the end of winter.

Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)

Snowdrops

Snowdrops actually thrive off the winter period and are typically the first bulbs of the year to flower. This delicate-looking flower comes in a variety of ranges including single and double-flowered versions.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Coneflower (Echinacea)

Do keep in mind that the coneflower will naturally lose its vibrant purple colour as the temperatures drop over the winter. However, they will come back stronger than ever in the spring when cared for properly over the winter. This sunlight-loving plant will thrive when planted in areas that have full access to sunlight, so do ensure to trim any dead stems/leaves too.

Additional Winter-Flowering Plants

  • Catmint
  • Coral Bells (Heuchera)
  • Winter jasmine
  • Blue Spruce
  • Quince

Contact Our Landscaping Specialists

If you would like to learn more about the best plants to grow during the winter or interesting in any of our garden planting services, feel free to contact our friendly team today on 01933 652 786.

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