Overwintering guide
How to overwinter old man's beard
Winter watering
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
The mistake that kills old man's beard in winter
Cutting old man's beard 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 old man's beard care
Overwintering old man's beard — FAQ
Does old man's beard need to come indoors for winter?
Old Man's Beard is hardy to roughly USDA zone 4 — winter lows around -34°C. That means it can stay outside all winter in most temperate gardens. Old Man's Beard 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 old man's beard for winter?
Tidy and mulch in late autumn; leave the plant undisturbed until spring.
How often should I water old man's beard in winter?
No winter watering needed in open ground. Containers only need water in long dry, frost-free spells.
What kills old man's beard over winter?
Cutting old man's beard 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.