Overwintering guide
How to overwinter common stork's bill
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills common stork's bill in winter
Cutting common stork's bill 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 common stork's bill care
Overwintering common stork's bill — FAQ
Does common stork's bill need to come indoors for winter?
Common Stork's Bill is hardy to roughly USDA zone 3 — winter lows around -40°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Common Stork's Bill 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 common stork's bill for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water common stork's bill in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills common stork's bill over winter?
Cutting common stork's bill 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.