skip to main content

How cold hardy are tree peonies going into their first winter?

12 years ago

I have some tree peonies in my garden beds as well as some in pots. I plan on tarping the potted ones while the ones in the gardening beds will probably get a good layer of leaf mulch so the snow stick on top of it. It usually gets down to around 0F here for winters and my gardening beds are slightly heated since they are mostly on either the south or east side of the house so are these plants generally safe?

They look like little tree saplings with an average of 3 buds each. I have thousands more in the process of germination next year or the year after so I'm hoping that I can over-winter them with my methods.

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of peony seedling all hardened off and dormant

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

daveinohio_2007
12 years ago
Our 2010 seedlings in half gal pots spent their first winter along east foundation of house covered with chopped leaves; about 90% died.
They didnt get enough water in that location. Make sure your seedlings dont get too dry.
stevelau1911
Original Author
12 years ago
They are supposed to be very hardy, so I'm guessing being dry may have been the cause. Anyways there is residual snow from christmas until usually the middle of March here so I really doubt dryness will be an issue.

My plan is to use either leaf bags, dried leaves with a tarp over them or just dried leaves since the snow insulates pretty well. I am aware that with most plants, their first winter is their toughest, especially if they are growing in pots.

Were the pots buried into the ground at all? If you left the pots simply sitting on top of the soil without burying them into the ground, that will cause the root balls to freeze which restricts the water to the plant. The only exceptions I've seen are fruit trees, blueberry plants or alliums which don't seem to mind getting their roots frozen solid.
Related Discussions
How do you grow Winter Hardy Palm trees in zone 5
Q
Comments (8)
In zone 5, you can forget about the European Fan Palm. That one will die before spring. You MIGHT have success with the Windmill Palm. And if you're in zone5b, you are the most likely to have success with the Needle Palm. The European Fan Palm reaches heights of 5 to 10 feet, and if it outgrows your house, I'd personally recommend either moving to someplace warmer, or sell your European fan palm for maybe $30 to $40 and you can buy maybe 3-4 more of them. But the needle palm may be your best chance at a tropical garden if you can give it sufficient winter protection. Try the Trachycarpus Fortunei. Leave it in the pot, and outside until you start to notice cold damage(Remember, young plants are a lot less hardy then the mature specimens). If you see the leaves start to burn, BRING IT INSIDE IMMEDIATELY, and nurture it until the cold damage goes away. Try again in maybe 2 or 3 years(Repeat until it can live through december with minimal damage). These palms are hardy to 5*F when mature. When it seems okay for the environment you're in, plant it. To protect it in the winter, wrap the trunk in a blanket, or burlap. Stick some christmas lights(the ones that produce heat) along the entire trunk. Spray with freezepruf. It dehydrates your palm a little bit, decreasing the water content in the palm, thus making it more tough against freezes. Now, as for the needle palm, please visit this link: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/palms/msg081602271828.html?3360 Cheerio!
...See More
Cold Hardy Palm Trees In New Jersey
Q
Comments (16)
Hey Guys, I just ordered a few Windmill and Needle Palm trees from TyTy to plany by my pool. I live in Newfoundland, NJ and read up a lot on these palms before buying. One thing that struck me odd when I spoke to their sales rep they said they do not recommend to protect the tree at all once they are 3 feet or larger. I bought a couple that are 4 to 5 feet so now I am not sure if I should protect them in winter, I do some people online protecting even much bigger speciemen. They said in all the years only one time they had to replace a tree that size and it was due to -40 degree weather in Idaho. Also they suggested not to use any fertilizer after planting. Do you guys have any input to this? I would love to talk about the plants you have for sale elman, was thinking to plant some musa basjoo as well.
...See More
exactly how much cold does my peony need?
Q
Comments (21)
Janet: As you remember, the pertinent sentence gives the reason - "to eliminate the possibility of the fungal diseases overwintering." "In the fall, after a heavy frost, remove and destroy the stems of garden peonies down to 3 inches from the soil surface to eliminate the possibility of the fungal diseases overwintering." Given the fact that this information comes from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension service and given the fact that the climate in North Carolina can be rather humid - thus aiding in the fostering of fungal disease - I believe it to be good advice - even though you might live in a drier climate where fungal diseases might not be a great or moderate matter of concern. Of course, not only should you cut the stems/leaves down, but you should be certain to remove them from around the plant and toss them into the garbage. I used to live on the tallgrass prairie of central Illinois - Peoria and now live in northwestern Michigan - Manistee. The humidity here in Michigan is somewhat less than in Peoria - especially during the summer, but the fall season can be a little wet in both places. Accordingly, I would follow the advice for our neck of the woods. I think it might be wise for you to do the same unless you hear otherwise from Peony growers in climates similar to yours. Again, best regards in your gardening efforts. Bill
...See More
Cold Hardiness Palm Tree engineering
Q
Comments (30)
I'm assuming a male needle palm? I think some adventurous grower should just attempt the trachy/needle cross, then we'll know for sure if it can be done. If it could, they better believe there will be a pretty good market for such a palm. Just look how mule palms are growing in popularity.
...See More
daveinohio_2007
12 years ago
No, pots were not buried.
Many of this years seedlings in half gal pots are buried in garden and covered with chopped leaves. We will see what happens.
stevelau1911
Original Author
12 years ago
I have my potted TP seedling buried already so all they need is a layer of leaves. I also plan on putting a small layer over the TP seeds that might germinate next year, and I have all kinds of tarping material which will definitely help out.

I'm guessing based on my exp with other potted plants that letting benefit from the warmth of the soil temperature is very important and anything used for protection on top of that is more like icing on the cake, but I'm playing it safe for 1st year TPs as these guys are worth a lot. A benefit with starting from seedlings is that they don't rely on a nurse root in comparison to a grafted plant.
Heather Macdonald
12 years ago
I planted 2 tree peonies in my zone 4 garden at my last house about 2 years ago..in the ground, no winter protection, except snow. They both bloomed last year,
they're pretty hardy.
heather
stevelau1911
Original Author
12 years ago
The TP seedlings keep on sprouting at a steady rate, but I do get a bit scared when the forecast calls for lower teens tomorrow night. I think the 1 year old ones which already have a woody stem should be fine however the new ones which happen to still be red and soft with a well developed leaf already look very vulnerable to getting killed by cold spells.

The good thing is that by Tuesday, it looks like we will see temperatures stay well above freezing, maybe for good so many more seeds can sprout without the fear of losing them.

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING Frost-Hardy Foliage That Loves a Cold-Climate Garden

By Paintbox Garden

When winter cuts a bleak swath through other plants, these edibles and perennials flourish brilliantly

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Cold-Hardy Succulents for Cool-Season Interest

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

These attractive plants shrug off colder temperatures, and many can be brought inside in containers in extra-chilly climates

DECORATING GUIDES Rooms We Love: A Mountain Retreat Made for Cold Winter Nights

Ample linen and Ushak carpets put a contemporary twist on cozy Appalachian style in a North Carolina show house

TREES Great Design Plant: Coral Bark Japanese Maple, a Winter Standout

By Paintbox Garden

Go for garden gusto during the chilly season with the fiery red stems of this unusual Japanese maple

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Retreat to the Shade of Hardy Catalpa

By Jocelyn H. Chilvers

Big foliage and a towering height provide a shady respite in summer, but that's not all hardy catalpa offers dedicated gardeners

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Peonies

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Fancy some old-time romance and low-maintenance color in your garden? These long-lived flowers are just the thing

WINTER GARDENING Extend Your Growing Season With a Cold Frame in the Garden

By Paintbox Garden

If the sun's shining, it might be time to sow seeds under glass to transplant or harvest

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Kumquats for a Juiced-Up Winter

By Steve Asbell

Grow it for the edible fruit or its good looks alone. This citrus cousin will brighten any gray winter day

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Rockin’ Red Plants for Winter Gardens

By Paintbox Garden

Use the bright berries or branches of these cold-climate favorites for outdoor garden interest or container arrangements anywhere

WINTER GARDENING 6 Flowers for Gorgeous Winter Garden Color

Blooming beauties can be yours from January through March — just take your pick from these bulbs, shrubs and even a tree

Sponsored

More Discussions

Iris has invaded my peony

1

Buying bare root Itoh peonies in spring?

6