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The difference between tender and hardy plants

The hardiness of plants is described by a scale from hardy to tender to indicate a plant’s ability to survive adverse growing conditions, such as cold and drought.
Hardy plants – thrive well in plummeting temperatures
- Holly
- Chamomile
- Foxglove
- Succulents
Tender plants – need tender care during the harshest winter months
- Dahlias
- Begonias
- Rosemary
- Coriander
How do you maintain tender plants in extreme weather?
When temperatures start to drop, ensuring you implement precautions to protect all plants is vital. When temperatures plummet, tender plants may be protected by:
1. Transferring them somewhere else
Move plants in pots to a warmer or more sheltered part of the garden or into a cold greenhouse or cold frame.
If a plant won’t stand any frost, it will need to be in a heated greenhouse or a cool, light room in the house for the winter.
2. Sheltering plants
Shelter tender plants using items such as frames or cloches if harsh weather is forecast. Try using cut up newspaper or horticultural fleece to exposed non-moveable plants if it’s especially cold.
3. Adding mulch
Tender plants will benefit from soil-rich mulch added across their roots for added protection in winter.
How do you maintain hardy plants in extreme weathers?
Hardy plants tend to need a lot less care over the winter months, but if the temperatures plummet to below -2, a watchful eye is important all the same.
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As specialists in garden maintenance services, we take real pride in advising our customers of the best ways to protect their gardens, especially in extreme weathers. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact our team on 01202 722943.
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