The question about the winter hardiness of the sackflower cannot be answered in general, because the individual varieties have different frost tolerance. Some plants can only tolerate up to -7 °C, others up to -15 °C, none of them like icy wind.
Is the sackflower hardy?
The winter hardiness of the sackflower varies depending on the variety and ranges from -7 °C to -15 °C. Protection from frost is particularly important for young plants and potted plants. Ideal winter quarters: bright, frost-free, approx. +8 °C.
In a mild area such as a wine-growing region, your American lilac, as the sackflower is also called, has a good chance of surviving the winter without frostbite. If your winters tend to be long and or very cold, then at least frost protection is recommended. This is especially true for potted plants that are left outside in winter.
Where can I overwinter my sackflower successfully?
You can easily move potted plants to suitable winter quarters. This can be a cool winter garden, but also a slightly heated greenhouse. It should ideally be bright and frost-free there. Temperatures around +8 °C are ideal. A dark basement room is unsuitable, as is an unheated greenhouse if the temperatures there fall well below freezing point.
How do I care for my sackflower in winter?
If your sackflower stays in the garden all winter, then you are primarily protecting the root ball from freezing. Wrap a planter with an old blanket, a jute sack or bubble wrap (€14.00 on Amazon). The bottom of the container also needs frost protection. A Styrofoam plate, for example, is suitable for this. A layer of leaves, brushwood or bark mulch in the bed or hedge helps.
You should only water your sackflower very little in winter, but wintergreen varieties need a little water at any time of the year. Fertilizer is not necessary at all, it could cause more harm than good. Towards the end of winter, cut back the sackflower if you have not already done so in autumn.
The most important things in brief:
- depending on the variety, hardy to between -7 °C and -15 °C
- protect young plants from frost
- It is best to overwinter potted plants at approx. + 8 °C
- maybe cut back in spring
Tip
If you are not sure whether your sackflower is sufficiently hardy, then overwinter at least small varieties at around + 8 °C in a bright winter quarters.
