6 Plants You Should Always Mulch in Fall, According to Garden Pros, for a Healthier Garden Come Spring

Key Takeaways

• Fall mulch protects vulnerable plants from severe cold and shifting winter temperatures.

• Mulch blueberry bushes and hydrangeas to support stronger growth and next year's blooms or fruit.

• Prioritize camellias, dahlias, new peonies, and perennial herbs that frost can damage.

When it's time to put your garden to bed for the winter , nothing will keep the chill away from your beloved perennials quite like a fresh layer of mulch. But protecting all of your landscaping plants with it might not be feasible, especially if you've amassed quite the collection over the years.

That's why we asked two gardeners to name which plants benefit the most from a mulch refresh in the fall . If you have any of these plants in your yard, it's best to prioritize them.

Meet the Expert

• Ward Dilmore is the founder and head landscaper of Petrus Landscaping.

• Andrew Marshall is a garden designer at Go Wild Landscapes.

Blueberries

A bountiful blueberry harvest in the summer begins with a little extra mulch in the winter, according to professional landscaper Ward Dilmore.

"Since they are grown for their fruit, a layer of mulch over the cooler months helps protect the shrub's fibrous roots from the extreme cold, which can help fruit production the following year," he says.

Since blueberries prefer forest-floor-like conditions with acidic soil overall, he suggests using arbor mulch. This type will provide a slow release of organic matter into the soil.

Camellias

In terms of plants that benefit the most from fall mulching, camellias are the first that come to mind for garden designer Andrew Marshall.

"These evergreen shrubs can be quite sensitive to hard frosts, so it can be a good idea to apply a layer of mulch around these to raise the surrounding temperatures and give more protection," he says.

Straw or pieces of bark work well for camellia mulch, but Marshall says it is important to avoid pressing on the trunk of the bush to prevent damage. And if snow is in the forecast, it's definitely worth covering them with some kind of horticultural fleece.

Hydrangeas

If you want your hydrangeas to put on an extra beautiful show next year, Dilmore says mulch can help with that.

" Mulching hydrangeas can help protect their shallow roots from extreme winter conditions, which can give them a head start in the spring," he says. "Winter damage can delay or stunt a plant's growth as it comes out of dormancy in the spring."

Hardwood mulches like pine or cedar work well for hydrangeas, but dry leaves can also work in a pinch. Whatever material you use, apply up to 6 inches if you live in an extra cold climate, and just 2 inches if you live in a warmer climate.

Dahlias

There are two things that Marshall always does for his dahlias come fall. First, he cuts the stems right back to the ground, and then he covers it all with a 5-inch layer of thick, organic mulch.

"Straw or bark again is a good choice here, but it's important to try and shape the mulch so that water won't gather in the center, which can rot the dahlia tuber," he says. "Avoid any kind of mulch that will just rot and won't allow air to get to the tubers (grass clippings aren't a good mulch here)."

Peonies

Established peonies may handle a cold winter without a new layer of mulch. But if you recently planted or transplanted your peonies , Dilmore says it's best to play it safe and mulch them. A 3-inch layer of any type of mulch around the base of the plant should do the trick.

"Mulch can especially help peonies when they are newly planted, as they are sensitive to winter temperature fluctuations," he says. "They can be finicky plants that require good drainage, plenty of nutrients, and protection from extreme cold, all of which mulch can help with."

Perennial Herbs

Last but not least, Marshall recommends protecting your perennial herbs like mint and chives with a thin 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch. These plants can be very sensitive to frosts.

"Some of these plants might do OK if they aren't in a frost pocket in the garden, but it can be wise to mulch just in case temperatures drop sharply," he says. "A light, fine mulch like straw would work well here."

Read the original article on The Spruce