DATE:   9/12/96
WRITER: Dr. David W. Bradshaw, (864) 656-4949
                                
Rescuing Tender Perennials 

     CLEMSON -- As the prospect of frost approaches, many
gardeners wish to save their tender perennial plants, which grow
for a number of years but cannot survive our cold winter
temperatures.
      The mandevilla vine with large showy pink flowers is an
example of such a tender perennial.   
     These vines should be cut back severely, removed from the
garden, and potted into large containers for winter holding. 
      Most potting soils with good drainage will suffice, but be
careful not to overwater these sturdy vines. As springtime
approaches, the dormant plants should be fed with a light,
surface application of general fertilizer and slightly increase
water applications to stimulate growth. After all danger of frost
has passed and the soil is warm, your mandevilla will be ready
for transfer back to the garden.
     Herbaceous perennials like iris, peonies, and day lilies
will die down to the ground during freezing temperatures. They
survive over winter through their underground storage organs --
bulbs, tubers, rhizomes, etc.  
     Although some daylilies are described as evergreen, they too
are damaged by severe freezes. This large group of herbaceous
perennials can simply be pruned back to ground level. 
     Caladiums and tuberous rooted begonias should be removed
from the garden before soil temperature drops below 45 degrees.
Foliage should be removed after it has been allowed to dry
naturally, as carbohydrates are translocated into the tubers.  
     Tubers should be treated with a powdered fungicide to
prevent fungus rot. Store them in a moderately warm and dry
utility room until spring.  
     One month before the last frost date, these tubers can be
planted in a flat of moist potting soil or even damp peat moss to
stimulate new shoot growth.  By the time all danger of frost has
passed, they can be planted in the garden for an early show.
     Many tender perennial bedding plants are so inexpensive they
do not merit the effort required to carry them through the
winter. I would suggest they be left and replaced new in the
spring. -- David Bradshaw, Clemson Extension horticulturist.
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     If you have gardening questions or comments, write to
Agricultural News & Publications, A-101 Poole Agricultural 
Center, Box 340311, Clemson University, Clemson, S.C. 29634-0311
                               END