astrantia, ruby wedding.

[Barbara]

I have one in a pot on the patio, I know its full hardy, but, does that count when its in a pot, as in the frost could get all round the pot, where the ground, if it were planted out would offer some protection, am I making sense to anyone please and the same for honeysuckle thanks.

[Rosefriend]

Nothing in a pot is ever as frost hardy as something in the ground. I know it is colder here but perhaps there is somewhere sheltered that you can put the pot Barbara.

RF

[Barbara]

yes RF, thats not the problem, I can put them in a sheltered spot, I just wondered if I had to. best not to lose to much through ignorance, or stupidity. ;D thanks for answering.

[Rosefriend]

Well perhaps someone in the UK will help further Barbara - there isn't anything in a pot that I don't cover with fleece - even my Hostas and they really are hardy.

It is a pity that we don't know what kind of winter we are expecting.

RF

[Ruthie]

1st rule is to keep the pot off the ground, ie, on pot feet or a stand. This will protect the pot, and therefore the plant, from breaking when the water in the compost turns to ice and expands.

For the last several years my potted plants have taken their chance and I haven't lost a plant (tho' I have lost some pots to the frost if the rim splits or perhaps there is a fault in the pot and it splits). You could wrap the pots with sacking or fleece to help keep the worst of the cold out. I recall wrapping a pot in bubble polythene G/H insulation many years ago because it was a special pot and I didn't want to lose it. That pot now goes in the G/H for the winter.

Hope this is of some help.

[Ladygardener]

Barbara, I divided out my ruby wedding last autumn and put some of it in a pot which sat outside all winter. It's been absolutely smashing all summer and will stay out without anything protecting it this winter again. The pot I have it in is plastic 'tho dont know if that made any difference or not. Mind you last winter was by no means hard. Hope this helps.

[Barbara]

thanks everyone. now, in or out,? wrapped or not,? plastic or pottery?. you see every answer makes another question ;D I think I'll try bubble wrap, and err on the safe side.