It's a bit too early here - the ground is soggy and more snow is predicted for tomorrow. Snowdrops and daffs have pushed up through the soggy leaves and the perennials are still dormant so the wet won't bother them. It's supposed to rain and rain and.... Maybe the end of next week I'll get out there with a rake.

I started to uncover things last weekend in a fit of spring fever and then just put the oak leaves back in place. Aside from some crocuses, daffodils and tulips that will grow through them, everything else at or underground seemed to be dormant so I agree with Oldroser that I'll wait until at least this weekend to start the clearing process. Based on the amount of frost heaving I'm getting this year, I'll take the chance on crown rot versus late winter kill and things just popping out of the ground.

I uncovered a few things today when I noticed that the perennials underneath were no longer dormant and were growing into a pale twisted mess. The iris don't seem to like being cover at any point in which the leaves may be wet instead of frozen.
{{gwi:970987}}

I started raking off the leaves last weekend since I had lots of bulbs coming up. Even with the snow tonight, they should be ok.

I wasn't sure, I uncovered three....that's all I got to. Some of the perennials had anywhere from 1 to three inches of growth on them..the peonies too ( sedum, chrysanthemum, daisies, iris, lamium, garden phlox, etc). Many are still dormant. Do the older established perennials have the same problem with frost heave as the the newly planted perennials?

I have never had a problem with heaving in established perennials. The heaving is because the roots are not firmly planted in the ground and the freeze/thaw process squeezes them out. This is a problem only in weak or new plantings, especially iris, older plants usually hold a lot of dirt and reach down more than a few inches where the ground does no change in temperature as rapidly.

Thanks, looks like now that the snow is melting everything so far looks good. Wish I could say the same for some shrubs...lost two lilac shrubs completely and a few branches on a burning bush. Good luck everyone!