As the last remnants of summer fade, gardeners across the UK are being urged to take one crucial action to safeguard their green spaces from the impending winter chill. A leading garden centre has identified five specific plants that require immediate protection before the first hard frost arrives.
Essential Plants Needing Winter Protection
Smith's Garden Centre in Warwickshire has taken to TikTok to share vital advice that could prevent significant damage to popular garden plants. In a video posted from their account @smithsgardencentre, a staff member highlighted the vulnerable plants as Cyclamen, Heuchera, Ferns, Cordylines, and Hebes.
The garden expert advised: "Wrap these plants in fleece and if they're in pots, lift them onto pot feet and move them closer to the house. A little protection on these plants will help ensure they're looking good through the winter." This simple action provides critical insulation against freezing temperatures that can damage plant cells and lead to die-back or complete plant loss.
Expert Frost Protection Techniques
Further guidance comes from popular TikTok presenter Gardening with Ish (@gardening.with.ish), who elaborated on effective protection methods to his 116,000 followers. "When you think of winter weather, you instantly think of frost and those non-hardy plants or even tender plants may struggle a little bit," he explained. "So frost fleecing is absolutely crucial."
Ish recommended using specialized frost bags for larger plants like bay trees, where protecting the foliage is essential. For plant pots, he suggested wrapping them in bubble wrap to provide insulation. "It stops them from becoming brittle if they're plastic and stops them from cracking if they're terracotta," he noted. "It adds a nice layer of insulation around the plant, keeping the roots nice and happy too."
Additional Winter Protection Strategies
Beyond covering vulnerable plants, Ish emphasized the importance of protecting plant roots with mulch. "Apply this to the base of your plant to act as another thermal layer," he advised. "Not only does this help retain a little bit more moisture, but it keeps the cold away from the ground."
He highlighted an additional benefit: "One of the other amazing things about using a mulch is also it's an organic material, so as the wet weather waters this down, it will break some of it down, acting as a slow-release feed throughout the course of winter and early spring, giving your plants a really good kick start."
Gardeners are encouraged to act promptly as winter frosts can arrive unexpectedly, potentially causing irreversible damage to unprotected plants. Taking these preventive measures now can ensure gardens remain healthy and vibrant through the colder months and emerge strong in spring.
