LITTLE ROCK — QCould you please let me know the easiest way to winter blackberry plants that are in pots? They were dug up in early November. I just need to know the best way to keep them over the winter.
ABlackberry plants are very winter hardy, but in containers they would need a little protection. All containerized plants will be less winter hardy than if they were in the ground. The root system is limited in the containers, plus the container is elevated so the soil temperature will get colder. You have some options.
Either group the plants and pots together and put some mulch around the base, or heel the pots into soil and mulch the tops.
This will giveyou extra protection, should it get cold.
If you know where you want them to grow, you could also plant them now.
QLast May I bought a miniature rose bush, and set it in a pot outdoors. The reason I didn’t put it in the ground is because the ground is so rocky here in Bella Vista that I didn’t feel I had the strength to dig the hole. The bush bloomed beautifully, and I have had much pleasure from it. I think it might freeze and die if I leave it in the pot outdoors all winter. Can I successfully bring it indoors now?
AThe miniature rose should do fine outside all winter as long as you give it a little extra protection. Going indoors into a heated house would be quite a shock now, since it has gotten used to the cold. You could also store it in a garage or storage building. The roots are what you need to protect, since the soil will get colder in the elevated container. If it is a large pot you are probably fine. For added protection if it gets really cold, wrap the pot with burlap ora sheet or place behind some of your shrubs, next to the house. It would be much happier outside than inside, especially since it has been outside through a frost. If you leave itoutside all winter and it gets dry, don’t forget to water, especially prior to a heavy freeze.
QAbout two weeks ago I planted Dutch iris bulbs and Muscari bulbs in big pots. They are coming up now, so I won’t have them in the spring like I had planned. Is there something I can do to protect and prolong their growth? Should I have waited to plant them after a frost?
AIt is not unusual to see bulb foliage up this time of year, particularly Muscari (grape hyacinth) bulbs.
They start growing in the fall every year and still have spring blooms. Add a little extra mulch around them but don’t worry. They are cold tolerant. As for the Dutch iris, I am surprised they sprouted that fast, but you should just have foliage and no flower buds yet, so again, you should still have spring blooms.
QI am from Northwest Arkansas and now living in Saline County. As we drive south or even around Little Rock, I am amazed at the beautiful white bushes along the roads or in fields. I have never stopped to see them up close, but they are so attractive I wonder why no one has themas plants in their gardens or yards. Are they not a nice plant? I think I saw a couple on the way to Mountain View in someone’s yard that had grown into trees - but no white blooms or whatever. Are they invasive or what?
AThe plants you are referring to are called groundsel bush -Baccharis halimifolia. They can be a bit aggressive in the home landscape. However, I think they are quite showy in a season when we often need some color.
It is a native plant and only the females are showy in the fall.
Janet Carson is a horticulture specialist for the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. Write to her at P.O. Box 391, Little Rock, Ark. 72203, or email her at
HomeStyle, Pages 27 on 12/26/2009