When the cold nights set in, many of our garden plants can struggle to survive — especially those that come from warmer parts of the world. So before we start wrapping things up, it’s worth understanding why we need to protect certain plants from frost in the first place.
Where Your Plants Come From Matters
Lots of plants in our gardens — especially bedding plants and annuals — aren’t native to the UK. They come from countries with very different climates, and while they reward us with masses of colourful flowers through summer, they can quickly die back at the first sign of frost.
Our native plants and hardy perennials, on the other hand, are far better prepared. Many of them lose their leaves to conserve energy through winter, or simply slow down their growth until the warmer days return.
My Example: Protecting an Echium Pininana
This year, I’ve been growing an Echium Pininana from seed — a stunning, towering biennial that originates from North Africa and Central Asia. Like a foxglove, it flowers in its second year, producing an incredible spire of blooms… but it’s not hardy.
Because it has a deep taproot, I chose to plant it directly in the ground rather than keeping it in a pot. (In truth, a pot would have made life easier, as I could have simply moved it into an unheated greenhouse for winter!)
Since I’ve planted it outside, I’ll be protecting it in-situ when frosts arrive.
How I Protect It
I’ve built a simple framework around the plant so that on mild days it can still enjoy the sunshine and good airflow.
When a cold snap is forecast, I pull an old bulk bag (the kind used for sand or compost deliveries) over the structure to protect the main stem from frost.
Even with protection, I expect the leaves to look a bit sad — maybe even blackened or soggy around the edges. But as long as the central crown doesn’t freeze, the plant will bounce back beautifully next year, ready to flower.
Tip: You can use this same approach with other half-hardy plants — such as salvias, dahlias (if left in the ground), or tender shrubs. A bit of protection now can make all the difference when spring rolls around.
Happy gardening! 🌱💚