Gardening Questions: Best way to winter container plants?

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lilscout Bertram, TX November 17, 2008 7:48 AM	OK I am very new at all of this. I wish I could say green, but, totally ignorant might be more accurate. I have acquired about ten or so plants of various types, that are in large pots. I have them in very large pots, mainly because on my place you can't dig down more than three inches without hitting rock. Most of the pots are clay, with some plastic. I live North of Austin, Texas and although it doesn't get terribly cold here, I am concerned about losing them over the winter. I have started putting together a shelter. Since I can't afford 2k plus for a real greenhouse, and I had a 6'X12' chain link dog kennel that I'm not using for my dogs, I figured that I'd try to use it. I got a poly transparent cover one foot larger on all sides, to go over it, which I think will work out, as far as the logistics. Please understand that this is all kind of on the fly, and the most economical way to get some sort of shelter, that I could dream up. I don't have a clue what I'm doing, needless to say. Now I just have to figure out how to best put it to use. The plants are all different varieties(?), and yes, I got them on impulse, using no knowledge, rhyme, or reasoning. I just liked them when I saw them. Some of them were being thrown out by the nursery, which I couldn't bear. I guess most people would get SOME knowledge first, and THEN, acquire some nice plants. Not me though, I have to do everything backwards, the hard way, and jump into something I know nothing about on impulse. Now, what do I do? Sink or swim, I guess, but, I hope you guys can throw me a few pointers, because I still like my plant choices and would like to keep them alive, if at all possible. I have always been the type person that does everything the hard way, several times usually, before it finally breaks through as a dim light in my hard head. I don't really mind it, I'm comfortably used to it, but, I just about drove my Mom crazy. I just think of it all as an adventure. Ready? Here's a list, and I warn you, it's pretty eclectic: Jasmine, supposedly a hardy one for Texas, (I forget which kind) Pride of Barbados Mexican Heather Lorepelum (SP?) Lily of the Nile or African Lilly Red Mandeville or Red Mandevillas Roses, Antique and Minatures Mexican Feather Grass Gerber Daisies and the Hibiscus is in the house already I warned you, it's a pretty crazy bunch. Yeah, I know, there's some pretty tropical stuff for my zone. Please consider, I don't have much room for large plants, in huge pots, in my house. They made it through last winter, and I was amazed. I only lost a couple of them. But, it was a pretty mild winter,(I believe). Now, I've gotten pretty attached to them and want to keep all of them that I can. So, any helpful suggestions would be appreciated. And please, little or no scolding, it didn't work for my Mom and probably won't work for you, either. :-) Thank you, it's appreciated, lilscout
NatureLover1950 Vicksburg, MS (Zone 8a) November 17, 2008 9:49 AM	I don't have many of your flowers but I do have Loropetalum shrub (Chinese Fringe Flower) lining a stretch of my driveway. They are of course planted in the ground and have been there for four years now. They are evergreen and should make it through your winters just fine. I also have jasmine that's in a very large clay pot sitting in a sunny east facing flowerbed which I also leave out all winter and it's never suffered any ill effects from the cold. I leave my hibiscus (planted in the ground also) outside. They go dormant in the winter but come back every spring. I'm sure others will come along who know about your other plants. This message was edited Nov 17, 2008 4:02 PM
imzadi Jackson, SC (Zone 8a) November 19, 2008 8:07 AM	the shelter you are building is a good one. alot of people use trhe plastic on the outside of something wood wire or anything to help keep the cold out. now if you can afford to do it also buy a small portable heater like the room heaters and run it on a low setting at night when its gonna be very cold. turn off during the day. which is what i am doing as my green house is under repair and didnt get done before the cold hit. Jasmine, supposedly a hardy one for Texas, (I forget which kind) should come back no problem Pride of Barbados dont know about as never grew it Mexican Heather should come back Lorepelum (SP?) should do ok Lily of the Nile or African Lilly bulbs will do okay just dont over water Red Mandeville or Red Mandevillas iffy some people have luck over wintering some dont im a dont Roses, Antique and Minatures should be ok Mexican Feather Grass another iffy for people so far mine is holding its own Gerber Daisies depending on what type can be annual which wont come back or a teneder perrinial which needs protection and may not survive anyway and the Hibiscus is in the house already another thing you can do for the winter since in pots is put pine straw around the base of the plants to help keep the roots from getting cold and freezing. you are on the right track and doing what you can to try to save your plants. remeber in winter to water sparingly only when dry. good luck
ecrane3 Dublin, CA (Zone 9a) November 19, 2008 10:47 AM	If you don't have a heater you might consider bringing the mandevilla in if you're expecting some cold weather--I don't know if it would die or not, but I have a feeling it might get cold enough that it'll start to drop its leaves and then it'll take it longer to come back and start blooming next year. Your hibiscus is actually slightly hardier than the mandevilla so if it's in the house the mandevilla would probably be better off there too.
lbrabec Omaha, NE (Zone 5a) November 20, 2008 3:23 PM	Gerbera Daisy overwinters in my unheated basement,which is pretty cold when outside temps are 0 or lower.It will probably be fine.

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