Bringing in the Angel Trumpets

To help work off those extra Thanksgiving pounds, Michael and I spent most of the day yesterday in the garden. He blew the leaves and I worked on getting the Angel Trumpets, Lantana Tree and Dragonwing Begonias into the basement. Actually, we have already had two slight frosts but I don't think they were harsh enough to kill the plants.

In the past, I've left the ones in the ground and mulched them heavily and they were fine the next year. Last year, however, was a hard winter and they all died. I decided not to take a chance this year. We only have two in the ground, one in the corner of the vegetable garden in a raised planter and the other by the garden wall.

Only one Angels Trumpet in a container on the patio. Next spring, this one is getting a heavier pot because I've spent most of the year picking this one up off the ground.

After digging the one in the vegetable garden out, I pruned it back to the "Ys", then placed it in a large plastic container and added soil to cover the roots.

The patio plant only required minimal pruning. I removed all the leaves by hand. This helps prevent disease from spreading during the dormant phase.

The Dragon Wing begonias were still quite nice. In the past, I've let them succumb but several readers told me earlier that they be overwintered. I cut them back and moved them to the basement as well.

I transported them to the basement and watered them well. I'll only water a few times during the winter. Now the long rest until next spring.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy