Confused about mulch

TomsMom

Probably a numpty question for experienced gardeners but I'm new to having to look after the garden on my own.

I have a rose that is advised to apply a mulch for winter protection.

There seems to be different types of mulches, some sheets, some bark chips or other natural stuff. What should I be using?

I also have this lily



Is it an arum lily? I almost lost it to the bad winter two years ago so I presume I should mulch that also?

Should I cut off all the leaves from the lily? Most have died off so I've cut those down but there's probably about a dozen still healthy looking, although not full height, ones. Should I leave those and wrap fleece around the plant for the winter?

Thanks.

blossomhill_2

For your rose, shredded or chipped bark would be fine, or some not quite completely rotted homemade compost, or some straw round the base of the plant

Same would do for the lily, just stack it up around the base and let the leaves die down but leave them on the plant for added protection of the crown of the plant -I cant imagine it would need fleece but I live in a mild area so other posters may have a better idea

Avoid soil disturbance from now til spring as this lets the frost into the ground depeer and risks the roots getting frosted

TomsMom

Thank you Blossomhill , will get the mulch sorted now I know what I need.

With the lily - should I have not cut away all the dead leaves? Or do you mean just not cut the leaves that are on at the moment? That picture wasn't from this year, the plant was more productive this year and there were a lot more leaves and flowers, it was huge.

lostinrates

I don't mulch with bark. It actually takes nitrogen from the soil while it's rotting down (though gives it back when rotted ). I want the nitrogen in the soil. I have plenty of rotted horse manure and mulch with that
I do not know about the lily though, and another caveat is that lupins hate manure on them. Roses though, love it.

glasgowdan

Mulch the rose with compost or manure. Keep material mulch sheets away from all borders and plants, they are horrible and only belong under stone chip.