Fall Care of the Borders

Patricia Hanbidge

September 29, 2024

Most of us that live in places that have seasonal change have planned mixed borders. These are areas in the garden that are not devoted to just annuals or perennials. They grace us with beauty for as long as possible during the growing season with a great variety of colours, textures and shapes. A mixed border contains trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, bulbs and even annuals. It is for sure the most attractive and best option for any garden with four seasons.

Perennials and annuals that are not late bloomers are finished for the year and those that have little winter aesthetic value can be cut back anytime. Remember that seed heads, grasses and other perennials can be quite attractive during those long winter months so if there is value in leaving them standing, they can easily be cut back in early spring. Another consideration is whether or not you wish to trap a little bit more snow in your border. Anything vertical will help to keep the snow on your beds providing much needed moisture for early next spring.

Roses are always one of those plants that might warrant some extra protection for the winter. Hardy shrub roses that are established don't really need any extra help but if you like to grow tea roses or other roses that are less hardy here, it is good to prepare those for the upcoming winter. Those tender grafted roses need to be mulched over the crown with soil, mulch or other insulative material. A few inches of mulch can raise the temperature as much as 5 or 10 C. One word of caution if you have a rodent problem, mulch once the ground has frozen. In the spring, remove the mulch as early as possible once the snow melts and very low temperatures have ceased to be a threat.