What next for tender perennials?

Anne Swithinbank’s masterclass on: tender perennials

- Anne Swithinbank

Q I have a number of tender perennials I’d like to keep from year to year. How do I take cuttings and overwinter the plants? I have an unheated greenhouse.

Julia Westthorpe, Shepton Mallet, Somerset

A The term ‘tender perennial’ applies to a wide range of plants including pelargonium, argyranthemum, fuchsia, heliotrope and some salvias. They may have the capacity to keep going from year to year but they are not frost-hardy.

This presents gardeners with a dilemma: plants are bought in spring and enjoyed during summer, but then what? Many are composted in autumn on the basis that buying new ones in spring is cheaper and easier than overwintering. Yet if you have the time and facilities, it is tempting to keep them going.