Mixed Perennial Containers Overwintering

Rosssm

Hi All,

I'm looking for a bit of advice on what to do with my mixed perennial containers overwinter.

I have a number of containers with a mix of different hardy perennials in them (Salvias, Malva, Dianthus, Grasses etc) mostly grown from seed at the start of the year.

I'm wondering if I'm best to:
a. Leave them in the containers for next year and just protect them overwinter
b. Break the containers up before winter and then re do the containers next year (or move some plants into my borders)

Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks

AnniD

Welcome to the forum 
Whereabouts in the UK are you ? That could have a bearing on the planting out .
The salvias in particular could be tender, which varieties are they ?
You may find that the grasses in particular get too big for the containers and would be better planted out, again it depends on which variety they are, also something else to bear in mind is whether they would be happy in the open garden, depending on whether they prefer sun or shade, and the soil conditions .
  

Rosssm

Thanks  

I'm in the west midlands so Zone 8b kind of area.

The salvias are Salvia nemorosa Caradonna which I think are pretty hardy (could be very wrong)

I agree with the grasses, a couple have got a lot bigger than the rest of the plants in the pot. I would probably end up moving them in the spring anyway.

AnniD

If you have the right conditions,  personally l would move them into the ground, that way you can have a whole new display next year. You could maybe put Spring bulbs in to give some colour for early next year.