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Winter protection for Clethras?
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Posted by chandolin Southern Vermon (My Page) on Tue, Nov 14, 06 at 16:07
Should I give winter protection to my two Clethra "Ruby Spice" shrubs? We are in Zone 4, and they are not right next to a building that would give them some protection from the wind. We normally have lots of snow, but occasionally have none for short periods. The temperature rarely drops below 10 or 15 below.
I've wrapped them in burlap the last two winters, but was told that I should put up wooden snow protectors instead. That might be practical for the 3 foot high plant, but would be difficult for the 4 foot high one.
I'd appreciate any thoughts on this.
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RE: Winter protection for Clethras?
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| I'm no expert but thinking and reading about these shrubs I would tend to believe you obviously have been doing something right all along to get them to survive in a zone 4 area when they are only rated hardy to zone 5. I have one planted on the east side of my house and I offer it no protection at all. (I will be moving it away from the house this spring-far away) I'm not sure what you mean by wooden snow protectors and what the purpose of those would be, but if it is to keep the snow off of them I wouldn't do it. I would keep as much snow piled on them as I could for the insulation. I've never developed the habit of using burlap to wrap anything to protect it. When my DH has to get out the snow blower I always remind him to mulch the beds with the blowing snow. He gets a kick out of this but it's an easy way to keep things covered and protected. :-) |
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