How to protect your foundation plants from winter snow damage
In short: Snow piles can crush and smother your garden, leaving a messy landscape in their wake. To build a resilient foundation, you must select plants that can withstand the weight of winter or go dormant underground to survive the season's harshest elements.
When landscaping near walkways or house foundations, winter maintenance often leads to accidental destruction. As landscape designer Jenn Nawada observes, snow piles created during shoveling can easily smother vulnerable greenery. To prevent this, successful foundation planting requires a strategic palette of species capable of enduring these seasonal pressures. Before planting, begin by identifying any dead or damaged greenery. It is helpful to clear away these old plants and debris using a tarp for easy removal.
One effective strategy is to select plants that go dormant underground during the winter months. By retreating below the surface, these perennials can wait out the snow until spring. To protect highly vulnerable zones from snow accumulation, select varieties such as windflower, Rose Marvel Salvia, Blue Hill Salvia, coneflower (echinacea), stonecrop, or lady’s mantle.
For visual structure, consider using taller, hardier elements like dwarf fountain grass. This species can be cut back in the winter to prevent damage and serves as an anchor for the surrounding garden. Underneath this taller grass, a variety of perennials with different heights, colors, and seasons can be layered to create lasting visual impact.
The physical planting process is equally vital for long-term survival. When digging, holes should be twice as wide as the plant containers and nearly as deep. After gently teasing the roots, place the plants in the holes, ensuring they sit slightly higher than the soil level to accommodate a thin layer of mulch. Finally, thorough watering is essential to help the new plants become established.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Plant Hardier Foundation Plantings | Ask This Old House
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