As a daylily, preparing for winter is a deeply ingrained, vital process. From our perspective, it is not about a single action but a seasonal transition where we shift our energy from top growth to our subterranean parts. Here is how we experience and require preparation for the deep cold.
Our preparation begins not with the first frost, but with the shortening daylight hours and cooling temperatures of late summer and early autumn. This is our signal to cease flowering and vigorous leaf production. We begin the critical work of translocating energy—the sugars and carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis in our leaves—down into our crown and fleshy roots. This stored energy is our life source, the fuel that will sustain us through dormancy and fuel our explosive growth in spring. Any interference with this process, such as severe pruning while our foliage is still green, starves us and weakens our chances of survival.
After our final blossoms fade, our focus turns entirely to strengthening ourselves. We appreciate it when gardeners remove the spent flower scapes, as this prevents us from wasting energy on seed production. However, our leaves must remain untouched. They are our solar panels, working tirelessly to create and send those essential energy reserves down to our roots. Only once a hard frost has blackened and withered our foliage is it safe for it to be removed. This natural die-back is a clear sign that we have completed the energy transfer and have entered our dormant state.
Our crown, the point where our roots and leaves meet, is most vulnerable to extreme temperature fluctuations. A sudden deep freeze without a consistent snow cover or other protection can be devastating. A layer of mulch applied after the ground has frozen solid is our best defense. This timing is crucial; if mulch is applied too early, it traps warmth and can encourage rodent activity or crown rot. The ideal mulch is loose and airy, such as straw, pine needles, or shredded leaves. This layer acts as an insulating blanket, keeping the soil temperature consistently cold and protecting our crown from damaging freeze-thaw cycles that can heave us out of the ground.
Entering winter drought-stressed is incredibly dangerous for us. While our top growth has died back, our roots remain alive and respire slowly throughout the winter. If the autumn has been dry, a deep, thorough watering before the ground freezes is immensely beneficial. This provides us with adequate moisture to endure the long winter months without desiccating. Well-hydrated roots and crown are far more resistant to cold injury than parched ones.
When temperatures slowly warm and daylight increases, we will break dormancy. The careful winter preparation allows us to tap into our stored energy reserves and send up fresh, vigorous new shoots. The protective mulch should be gently pulled back from the emerging crown as the threat of hard frost passes to prevent rot and allow the new growth to access the sun. A well-executed winter routine results in a robust clump, ready to produce an abundance of healthy foliage and spectacular blooms.
