CHAPTER XVIII 



Winter Protection 



THAT plants or shrubs may withstand the cold, we protect them; 

 but it is mainly to shield them from the Winter sun. Or some 

 plants may be heaved from the soil by frosts; when thoroughly 

 protected such heaving does not take place. 



Many of the perennials are benefited by a protection in Winter. 

 The sort of protection perennials need is one which will shield them 

 from Winter and earliest Spring suns, which start the plants into 

 growth only to be frozen again when the sun has set. This alternate 

 freezing and thawing is the main cause of Winter injury to shrubs as 

 well as perennials. The proper protection, then, is a light layer of 

 straw or manure or leaves applied after the tops have been killed by 

 frost. 



It is usually better to wait until the ground is a little frozen before 

 applying the Winter mulch. It prevents a premature start in Spring, 

 due to a slight heating caused by fermentation. Perennials whiclx 

 retain their leaves through the Winter, as well as biennials and Sweet 

 William, Heuchera and many others, are best covered with straw or 

 leaves, but not manure, which often disfigures the foliage due to the 

 decay. An excellent method, however, is to cover the beds with 

 evergreen boughs and then place leaves upon these, in which case the 

 leaves are prevented from matting. Leaves which mat together 

 badly, as Elm, Maple, and other trees which crop their foliage early, 

 are not as valuable as Oak. Coverings which are too thick cause a 

 premature start in Spring, resulting in crippled growth because of 

 the late frosts. 



Unless the perennials are diseased the tops may remain during 

 the Winter; breaking or cutting them off often exposes the growing 

 points. 



For protecting Lilies a mound of ashes, placed over the crown, is 

 frequently advised. The Tiger, the Canada, the Coral, the Handsome, 

 the Thunbergian, and the Turk's Cap can be successfully protected in 

 this manner. We have had occasion before to mention the protection 

 of Eremurus, which consists of using a deep box filled with leaves and 

 left over the plants till rather late in the season, otherwise the young 

 shoots will be injured in the Spring. 



Then there are the Roses. When rosarians get together they 



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