{Disarmed} Re: OVERWINTERING IN ALASKA

Hi Pat,
 
My climate in the far White Mountains in New Hampshire is considered a USDA Zone 3 climate where
the temps can get to -40 F (the coldest I have seen here is -42 F). We had periods in the winter of 2004 where
the high for over 2 weeks was -12 F. Last winter was warmer but the Siberian bloom was the same for both
bloom seasons.. We have reliable snow cover all winter which is a boon for flowers in cold climates...white
mulch.
 
It sounds like your bark mulch is five inches above the Siberians. Do you have a rim around the 1" plant?
You will need to uncover the bark mulch when the days start to warm up (as long as the snow is gone) so
plant can get some sun.  *This is in no book that I have read - just works for me. Winter losses of Siberians
are negligible. I use pine needles to mulch both Siberians and Japanese irises.
 
It sounds like you are doing fine surely better than me since I haven't cut mine back yet and it was only
24 F degrees this morning...snow can come at any time - look at Buffalo.
 
Cheers,
 
Ellen
 
 
pat_cariati <cariati@mosquitonet.com> wrote:
We planted about a dozen Siberians this spring. We bought them from a
grower in Maine. Although we have some knowledge about their care
during the growing season (the leaves just started to turn brown a
week or two ago,)we aren't sure about protecting them during the
winters in the Alaskan interior.

The temperatures usually drop into the -40(F) to -60(F) range at
least once every winter. We often have periods of below zero(F)that
last as long as a month. Needless to say, the ground freezes down to
about three feet each winter.

We have mounded bark mulch over each plant to a height of about six
inches at this point. The plants have been cut back to about an inch
above ground level. The plants are already experiencing days when the
frost covering them does not melt. Soon, all will be frozen in their
beds.

We are hoping that someone with experience with the Siberians in cold
climates like ours can give us some pointers.

Thank you,
Pat


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