Gunnera over wintering

by Betsy
(Great Barrington MA)

How should I winter over Gunnera in a zone 5. Should I keep it's roots damp or should I let it go dormant. Should I put it in a dark basement or keep it in a cool sunny spot.

Doug says that 1) frost free 2) cool so it goes dormant (40'sF and not freezing) 3) dampish - not bone dry and not swampy

Light is largely irrelevant once it goes dormant - you can keep it in either light or dark. As a first try, I'd leave it cool and well lit (and in your sight so you know when to water or ignore) :-)

Not a hard plant to overwinter. Make an environment that's a USDA zone 7 and you're good to go. :-)

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Gunnera over wintering

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Gunnera Manicata
by: Anonymous

Hi
I am in Nova Scotia Canada zone 5b ans I grow a Gunnera outside with no problem.
I do not water it at all. I cut the leaves back after the frost has damaged them and invert the leaves over the crown. I then cover it with 3 or so feet of dry straw and then a large tarp to keep all dry as possible to prevent rot.
Mid April I "take a peek" and as the crown starts to swell I remove the straw during the day and cover it again at night till the threat of frost has passed.
The person who sent me this plant lives in Northern British Columbia in zone 4. Hers has a crown over 3ft tall and the plant reaches 12 feet tall with leaves 6-7ft across. It is huge....and stunning.
There is no need to bring the plant in if you follow these simple steps. It is quite a hardy plant.
Good luck with yours.
Take care

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Doug Green