Overwintering guide
How to overwinter alpine sea holly
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills alpine sea holly in winter
Cutting alpine sea holly hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.
More alpine sea holly care
Overwintering alpine sea holly — FAQ
Does alpine sea holly need to come indoors for winter?
Alpine Sea Holly is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5 — winter lows around -29°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Alpine Sea Holly is properly hardy and overwinters outside without fuss. Tidy away anything dead or diseased, apply a mulch over the crown to steady soil temperatures, and otherwise leave it alone — many hardy plants actually need a cold period to flower and grow well the following year. Save hard pruning for the right season rather than doing it in autumn.
When should I move alpine sea holly for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water alpine sea holly in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills alpine sea holly over winter?
Cutting alpine sea holly hard back in autumn "to tidy up". That removes the growth that shelters the crown, and on some plants removes next season's flower buds entirely.