How to Care for Winter Annuals
After your pansies, violets, snapdragons, mums, or ornamental vegetables are planted for winter, it is critical that they are properly cared for to ensure they will remain beautiful until spring!
As mentioned in our last post, pansies are the “king” of winter annuals, but violas belong to the same genus and therefore the two require similar care. The earlier pansies and violas are planted, the more established their root systems will be, which is the key factor in their winter hardiness. To keep these flowers blooming well throughout the season, regular application of fertilizer is recommended. These flowers are putting out lots of blooms and will thrive when given fertilizer as often as every two weeks. Steady drainage and at least partial sun are also necessary, as these plants are more susceptible to fungal diseases and insect pests when soil is not able to drain or dry properly, particularly after snow or ice accumulation. Weekly deadheading is also a great practice for pansies and violas; pinching off any dead or fading blooms will encourage new blooms.
Snapdragons are shorter-lived winter annuals that grow best during cool seasons. In our area, snapdragons put on a show in the fall, lay dormant throughout the winter and them bloom beautifully again in the spring. They enjoy full to partial sun in areas with exceptional drainage. After snapdragons bloom and begin to fade, it is best to remove the fading flowers where they are attached to the stalk. After most of the flowers have faded, snapdragons should be cut back dramatically, which is called “hard pruning.” Deadheading and hard pruning snapdragons will stimulate the plant to produce more flowers.
Caring for mums (chrysanthemums) during the winter begins with the decision of where to plant them. Mums thrive when they are planted in a location sheltered from harsh winter winds and in areas with satisfactory drainage. Mums often die due to ice forming around their roots (due to poor soil drainage) rather than just cold weather itself. After a few frosts, mums’ blooms and leaves will die back, so it is necessary that their stems are cut back to 3-4 inches above the ground. After cutting the mums back, it is best to add a new layer of heavy mulch to help insulate the ground around the plants.
Using .ornamental kale and cabbage is a new trend in winter gardening and these plants thrive when planted after nighttime temperatures fall below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. They enjoy regular watering but only with adequate drainage. It is important to keep an eye out for eggs, larvae, or caterpillars on the underside of kale and cabbage leaves, as damage from these pests can occur rapidly. Pesticide treatment is a simple remedy as long as the pests are found early. However, after a few hard frosts insects are usually not a problem.
For more information regarding the care or maintenance of winter annual plants, contact Wrightsville Beach Landscaping at (910) 256-6345 with any questions or to set up an appointment.
