Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Overwintering

Jane writes~ have a cape fuchsia. I do not know the technical name for it and a Lantana. Can I overwinter them? The fuchsia has lost most of its leaves but seems to be getting new ones should I cut it back. So far the Lantana has not lost the leaves but the leaves have changed color.

A. Not knowing where you live, I assume from the color change that you are experiencing fall with lower air temperatures and light intensity. Lantana may or may not survive your winter, depending upon how severe they are. They are difficult to overwinter, so you would be better replanting in the spring. Fuchsia will definitely not survive a frost, so they must be overwintered in some method. One is to take stem cuttings of the most tender portion and root in mix, pot up and save through the winter until spring brings warm weather. Another way is to take the plant inside, cut growth back to 6" and keep alive with low watering and monthly food, with as much window light as you can provide. Do not allow to stand in drafts or near cold windows or doors. Even if the stems all brown, the plant can still be alive and will resprout when the seasons change. In the spring, remove from pots, cut off a portion of old roots, replenish with fresh mix in a clean pot, then grow where it is happy, partial sun and cool air.