My prized daphne (about 12' around and over 4' tall) is in full spectacular bloom. The warm weather we had earlier resulted in its blooming all at once, rather than in a staggered way, as usual. Am not worried really about losing the plant (not from a few frigid hours, at any rate), but really would hate to lose all those blooms in one fell swoop. I can rig a "tent", using a couple of old screen door frames and a heavy blue tarp, but don't know whether or not that would help.... or possibly even hurt. We also have a couple of smaller daphnes, only a couple of feet high. They are also in full bloom. Should I cover them with a black plastic bag?
Suggestions would be welcome!
thx-jo
To cover or not to cover that is the question.
Plastic bags are OK, but I find sheets are better unless it's raining. I keep a stash of old sheets and pillowcases for covering if necessary. Old shower curtains if we are getting a freezing rain with it. I put the sheets on first, the plastic on next.
I hold them all on with a few garden stakes to keep the plastic off the plant, and laundry pegs to hold it all down in wind!
For things I cover all winter, I use tree pots upside down, with lightly fluffed dry leaves inside and a brick on top. Not elegant, but it works!
GGG
Jo, I don't think that you have to worry about the daphnes freezing, but if you would feel better, then I agree with GGG, about the old sheet. That does not conduct the cold directly to the plant.I know of the daphne albo-marginata, growing in N michigan, now thats cold. Mike