The bearded flower (Caryopteris x clandonensis) is native to temperate to subtropical areas of China. The shrub can only tolerate frost to a certain extent. Frost protection therefore makes sense. Beard flowers in pots should definitely be overwintered as frost-free as possible.
Is the beard flower hardy?
The bearded flower (Caryopteris x clandonensis) is conditionally hardy and can tolerate temperatures down to around -15 degrees. When overwintering in the garden, protect the roots with leaves or straw, while potted plants should be stored frost-free.
The beard flower does not survive winters that are too cold
Beard flowers are only partially hardy and cannot tolerate extreme cold. If the temperatures fall to more than minus 15 degrees for a longer period of time, there is a risk that the bushes will freeze.
In mild locations where the ground only freezes superficially, winter protection is generally not necessary.
In all other locations you should protect the bushes from frost.
Wintering bearded flowers in the garden
To overwinter the bearded flower in the garden, cover the ground around the bushes with a thick layer of leaves or straw.
It is important that the roots are protected. If the above-ground shoots freeze, this usually has no effect on the survival of the bearded flower.
Wintering in a bucket
Beard flowers are also a real eye-catcher as potted plants. However, plants grown in pots must be kept as frost-free as possible over the winter, because the soil freezes much quicker in pots than outdoors.
If you want to overwinter the bearded flower on the terrace, place the pot in a protected place.
Place a polystyrene plate (€7.00 on Amazon) under the planter and wrap the pot and the plant in a jute bag or garden fleece that you can get from a hardware store.
Care for bearded flowers while overwintering indoors
You can be completely safe if you overwinter the pot with the bearded flower in the house. Suitable are:
- Cold winter gardens
- Frost-free cellars
- Frost-free garden houses
- Garages
It is important that the temperatures are only slightly above zero degrees, but do not fall below minus 3 degrees. The place should be as dark as possible because bearded flowers are deciduous.
The bearded flower must not be fertilized during wintering. Water only enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely.
Tip
Basically, the beard flower is cut back in spring. But it won't do any harm if you cut the shrub back completely in the fall before it goes dormant.
