I’ve been taking stock of the garden after a challenging few months and seeing what’s among the winter plant casualties.
A long, dry summer followed by autumn deluges and then a bitterly cold winter – we went down to -12 one night in December – have all taken their toll and I have higher than usual losses.
I think plants were stressed after last summer and the wildly fluctuating temperatures saw off those that were borderline hardy.
To be honest, some of the winter plant casualties weren’t really a surprise given the many nights of below freezing temperatures. This hebe (possibly H. ‘Spenders Seedling) was actually self-sown from a parent plant that succumbed to cold a couple of years ago and I’ve spoken to many gardeners who have lost hebes this year.
Nearby, Erysimum ‘Bowles’s Mauve’ is known to be borderline hardy and I really should have taken some cuttings but sometimes there are just not enough hours.
It seems I’m not alone in losing several Euphorbia wilfenii to the cold. Renowned Cotswold plantsman Bob Brown, founder of Cotswold Garden Plants, told a recent meeting of the Hardy Plant Society that most of the nursery’s stock of this variety had succumbed. The only plants to survive were those with slightly different parentage.
In my garden, a few plants are completely dead, others are clinging on while some are completely unscathed. A different genetic background isn’t the reason as they are all self-sown from the original plant. Even position doesn’t seem to have played a part as I have dead and living alongside each other.
So far, nothing too bad but the loss of this climber is a real blow. I bought this trachelospermum back in 2016 and planted it in a spot that’s sheltered by the house. It’s covered a piece of trellis and survived everything winter can throw at it, until now.
The variety is listed as hardy down to -10 by some nurseries and only borderline hardy by others so, given the recent low temperatures, it was always likely to be one of the winter plant casualties. Still a blow though.
Such was the dismal weather even the wallflowers took a battering and they’re usually very tough. Some have given up completely while others have just been scorched on top and should still flower well. Oddly, there are some wallflowers that are completely untouched.
Position in the garden has so much to do with what has survived and what’s been hit. I fully expected to lose this cistus as I failed to give it the winter protection it needs. However, tucked away under some larger shrubs and protected by the decking, it’s come through untouched.
Salvias and penstemon have been another casualty for many gardeners and I have several that are looking far from happy, including a large white penstemon (name long lost) that often keeps its green leaves all winter.
However, unlike many of its cousins, it does have new shoots appearing at the base. I will wait a little longer before cutting back the dead.
In fact, it’s a bit early to completely write off all of the plants that have been hit and I plan to leave it until the temperatures come up a bit before consigning them to the compost heap.
There is still hope as this cotoneaster shows. A few weeks ago it was brown and had lost all its leaves but new shoots are now appearing.
I fear that the changing climate could mean many more years of winter losses. We will just have to think carefully about what we plant, be ready with fleece – and not forget to take cuttings!
Have you got winter plant casualties? Do let me know in the comments.
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I lost 3 Diosma :(. I’ve had them for years but they didn’t survive this winter. The summer was fine for them.
How annoying. I keep telling myself that every plant death is a planting opportunity but some losses are harder to be philosophical about.
So many casualties here too. The wall flowers are hit and miss and causing me so much of a head ache as a key part of the spring display.
I couldn’t believe the damage to wallflowers. They’re usually really tough. At least I don’t open my garden.
Thank you for sharing! I think my Phormium “Jester” has bit the dust. It was very close to the house but looks very brown 🙁 The jury is out on a bunch of plants (I am looking at you salvias, under your protective straw), but I am not removing anything until I am sure…just in case!
I think we’re all hoping although I know in my heart that it’s a vain hope in some cases.
Best thing to do is cut back all the foliage and treat it like a giant Iris germanica.. Mine have shot back from the base when battered by frost previously. Nothing to lose!
That’s great advice 😍
I lost 5 large mature Hebes that were at least 10 years old. All dug up now but left large gaps in the border. A new penstemon Bodnant only planted last autumn has bitten the dust. Wallflower Bowles Purple died. Several Salvias in pots are looking bare but on scratching stems showing green so hopeful may re shoot. 🤞
Hebes seem to be a common casualty. Such a shame when they leave big holes in the planting. 🤞for the salvias.
Lost 8 large Oleanders, a hebe hedge approx 10ft long, several clematis as well as 4 evergreen winter ones, oh, so many, it’s hearttbreaking.
Heartbreaking is just the word.
Pretty much the same here in Somerset – surprised that the overwintering brassicas and chard died as thought they were pretty hardy – one survivor the white russian kale – perhaps the clue is in the name!
¬
I lost brassicas as well. Like you, I thought they were tough.
I work in lots of gardens around Painswick, and we’ve lost a lot of hebes, pittosporums, all tree echiums (unsurprisingly), lots of penstemons showing no signs of life, bay has taken a beating, my own beloved trachelospermum has also succumbed (it was a beautiful red leaf all winter usually and was living in a pot completely unprotected for many years until I planted it in a sheltered spot to grow up my house this year….!!!? I mean I know I’ve cut back on heating but….!! I do live in a dark valley). Basically, this winter has been totally s*&€ for plants!!! Onwards and upwards… As you say, we have to plant for the evolving conditions.. a garden is never ‘finished’ 🙂
Your losses seem to be echoed across the country, judging by the replies I’ve had here and on social media. It’s definitely been a challenge!
In the Somerset garden there have been so many losses but like you I haven’t given up hope on others. Salvias are very hit and miss ~ some are there some aren’t. Euphorbia has gone and even gladioli bulbs at mush. Which isn’t an issue as I shouldn’t have planted them! A lobelia Hadspen purple has survived which has surprised me. Don’t even mention agapanthus. Those in pots have fared badly. Oh well. Time for new and next year protect.
London garden is more sheltered and the tree ferns still have their fronds. The agapanthus still have leaves so I’m hopeful for flowers.
Spain on the other hand also had really low temperatures but is and has been very dry. I’ll report back next week 🌞
You really do garden at the extremes! I’m not sure which is worse, cold or drought.
such a relief to know that my lost hebes are not a result of my neglect…also pelagoniums look gone and bay tree winter scarred but seems to recovering. Tulips taken by muntjac, grrrrrrrrr as they say in the dandy….
No, you’re not alone. Hebes, pellies and bay are common casualties. You have my sympathy re deer!