[mickeyboy]

Hi All, i have some canary palms and another burgandy colour palm in pots on my patio, i also have a bay tree in a pot.

I haven't a clue what to do with these over winter are they ok in a fairly sheltered spot im just worried they ma die

Thanks for your help

Mickeyboy

[sunshineband]

Last winter my potted bay trees were fine outside, but canary island palm died. We'd had it about five years 

Best to insulate the pot with bubble wrap, including underneath (holes for water drainage) and some people tie up the leaves into a spike as well.

[mickeyboy]

Last winter my potted bay trees were fine outside, but canary island palm died. We'd had it about five years 

Best to insulate the pot with bubble wrap, including underneath (holes for water drainage) and some people tie up the leaves into a spike as well.

thanks very much again

[Loubs]

I've never taken too much care of the container plants in my back yard over the winter -  in general I find keeping them alive & happy over hot summers when I'm away on holiday more of a challenge.

Palms (can't remember what types they are - but I would have chosen half-hardy varieties) have always have survived no problem without wrapping or fleecing (though my garden is very sheltered).

What happens to my banana plant depends on how cold it gets - mild years it's fine and the leaves stay alive throughout the winter - colder winters the leaves can wilt & die off overnight - but it springs to life again in late Spring chucking out new leaves. The main stem died off during the cold snap & extra-heavy snow we had down here last winter, but the smaller stalks growing around the base all threw out new leaves soon as it warmed up. I have thought of wrapping it this winter, but decided on balance I like to look at it. But then it was a £5 small plant when I bought it 6 years ago, so although it's a big plant now, I don't consider it an expensive loss should we have a very cold winter again.

So yes, if you don't want to take a gamble, I would wrap for winter.

Bay should be fine I think - they're hardy plants.

[DavidT]

To be on the safe side, I would cover them with frost fleece.

[Loubs]

Darn... now I really wish I'd protected the banana plant... these freezing temperatures have probably finished it off.

[catllar]

Canary palms aren't hardy here (south of France) whilst they are young and/or in pots. Need much wrapping up, including the pot - I use bubble wrap for the pot, tie up the crown then wrap chicken wire and straw round the palm and the whole thing gets covered in fleece. Banana plants CAN come back again, even if the top has died, so it's still worth covering the dead bits - what's the worst that can happen? Good luck