Plants in winter

[tarotwoman]

I've just put lots of plants in my garden this year, they have all flourished and I would hate to see them all deteriorate in the winter. I have read somewhere that hibiscus can't withstant frosts, is there anything you can do over the winter to protect them if the weather turns harsh? Also do Jasmine, Dame de la Noche, Bird of paradise and Solanum need any special treatment. Any help would be much appreciated.

[ajtg1952]

We were in the exact same position as you last winter. We had spent several thousand euros on plants and along came the coldest winter in 20 years. Everything lost their leaves and my wife was distraught. We took no precautions as we did not know what to do. It was very wet and extremely cold. We are 720m high.

By Spring the garden looked desimated. However, every plant recovered and with good watering and a fair bit of pruning, they are all growing like mad and probably a lot stronger for the experience.

[masterob]

tarotwoman, you don't say where you are located. If on the coast, then frosts are extremely unlikely. If inland and up a mountain, you might well have to protect some of the more vulnerable plants.

[tarotwoman]

I am in Arboleas, about 45mins inland from Mojacar which is on the coast. Our winters aren't particularly harsh as a rule but we have had some freak weather including torrential rain together with massive hailstones about 6 weeks ago and 2-3 foot of snow overnight about 3 years ago.

[masterob]

Hi. A light snow shower won’t do too much harm to your plants. Heavy frost, chilly winds and prolonged wet conditions are the real killers.

The following info gleaned from a Mediteranean Gardening book may help in regard to the specific plants you mention:

Hibiscus – there are several varieties with differing tolerances of frost. H. syriacus is a deciduous shrub or small tree. It will tolerate temps as low as minus 9C/16F. H.rosa-sinensis is the more common tropical evergreen shrub widely grown in Southern Spain. It won’t survive temps lower than minus2C/28F so will succumb to the slightest frost.

Dame de la Noche (Cestrum nocturnum) - will tolerate temps as low as minus4C/25F.

Jasmine – there are a number of varieties. The Chinese Jasmine will tolerate temps as low as minus5C/23F; the more common form Jasminum Grandiflorum will tolerate lower temps of minus8C/17F.

Solanum – I guess you are referring to Solanum Jasminoides, the potato vine. It will tolerate temps down to minus4C/25F. Don’t forget it is poisonous!

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia) - It will only stand light frosts and temps of minus2C/28F may well damage the flowers and foliage. The rootstock may survive temps down to minus4C/25F and sprout again.

Good luck and fingers crossed for a frost-free winter!

[tarotwoman]

Thanks for that. From what you say I should be alright unless we have some real freak weather. We've got unbelievable winds at the moment but everything seems to be standing up to that ok. It sounds like these plants are a lot hardier than I imagined Thanks again.