From Homesandgardens · · 1m 30s
7 Plants You Never Need to Winterize
7 plants that thrive outdoors through winter without protection.
In brief
7 plants that thrive outdoors through winter without protection. Tulips, daffodils, peonies, hostas, garlic, coneflowers, and milkweed need natural winter dormancy and shouldn't be brought indoors. Originally reported by Homesandgardens.
Why winterizing some plants backfires
Overprotection can disrupt their cycle, encourage rot, or weaken next year’s growth.
Tulips need cold for good blooms
Tulip bulbs need a sustained cool period to flower well, which is why gardeners in warmer regions often buy pre-chilled bulbs.
Daffodils stay outdoors through winter
Leave established daffodil bulbs in the ground where winters are reliably cool; don’t lift and store them in a warm garage.
Peonies follow their natural rhythm
Peonies die back above ground, while their roots stay put and rest during winter dormancy.
Hostas don’t need indoor winterizing
Hostas naturally die back after frost and return from their crowns in spring without needing a heated winter hideaway.
Garlic benefits from winter cold
Hardneck garlic benefits from winter cold to form well-divided bulbs, whereas softneck varieties are better suited to milder regions.
Coneflowers handle winter naturally
Coneflowers are prairie plants that know winter is coming and do not require a fleece sleeping bag.
Milkweed needs cold stratification
Native milkweeds are adapted to the winters of their home ranges and many need cold stratification before seed germination.
The right plants need the right protection
Check the tag, drainage, and local zone, then protect only what benefits from protection.
Here's the gist
Tulips, daffodils, peonies, hostas, garlic, coneflowers, and milkweed need natural winter dormancy and shouldn't be brought indoors.
