Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I live in zone 7 of Walnut Cove, NC. My question for you deals chiefly with S.Flava. I know that it produces winter leaves which are non carnivorous. Can these handle frost and freezes better than the plant as a rule? If so, I might just leave the bulk of the plant (in my bog) mulched for winter and the phylodia exposed so the plant can get as much sunlight as possible. Whatever guidelines you have would be great as I do not want to starve my S.Flava of light.

Thanks

Daniel L. Bunton

ANSWER: Hi Daniel,

As a rule, we recommend mulching all parts of the plant, including the phyllodia.  We recommend this for container plants in zones 7 and colder.  Since yours is in a bog garden, the rhizome might be better protected.  Since S. flava occurs in zone 7 regions, you possibly could get away with keeping the phyllodia exposed and mulching the soil around the plant.  I say 'possibly' only because in the wild plants have natural protections, such as the proximity of nearby plants, to shield them from excessive winter winds.  If your plants are widely exposed, then you'll need make a judgment call whether to mulch the phyllodia or not.  This will depend on how much wind you typically get during the winter and how other garden plants in your yard fare.  

With that said, we have customers in upstate New York and in Maine who maintain bog gardens.  They report that they don't lose any plants because they mulch very heavily in winter.  S. flava rarely dies of lack of light during the winter months.  Usually they die from fungal infection or dehydration.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: As far as being widely exposed my S.Flava has a companion plant, the Judith Hindle I ordered (doing spectacular by the way!) about a foot and a half away along with the venus flytrap nearby. Other than that my bog is pretty empty for the time being. Regarding wind, our area in North Carolina does tend to get a lot of wind and my bog is about ten feet away from our lake (if that could possibly influence the surrounding temps). So given all that I am leaning strongly towards mulching the entire plant unless otherwise directed. Thanks for your counsel.

Daniel Bunton

Answer
Mulching is fine.  I have a local customer (zone 8) who mulches his plants.  I tell him it's not necessary for this area, but he does it anyway.  It gives him peace of mind.  Make sure to wait until after you've had a series of frost before covering your plants completely.  This might be about early to mid December in your area.