Keep perennials in pots over winter?

[Ponders]

I've got a few random plants which I haven't got around to planting out yet. We only have a small back yard with raised beds round the edges, all concrete otherwise, so they wouldn't be in the ground.

Anyway I wondered if they'd over-winter better in the pots, where I can insulate them a bit, then I can plant out in spring. Or would they be happier spreading out even in the (cold) raised beds?

I would put them in the ground now if you can. It's still warm enough for their roots to grow and start establishing. Then you will only disturb the roots once and come Spring they should grow with avengeance.

Depends on how tender they are, of course. Tender plants are always better over-wintered with some protection.

What are they?

I was afraid someone would ask me that, Effjay! I will have to go & get the labels for some of them.

There is a small aster, a funny little capsicum plant with pointy orange fruit on & a small campanula (I think), plus 2 big ones which I have to look up...

Big ones are "Dipladenia (Brazilian Jasmine)" - specifies protect from frost

and Salvia microphylla - specifies shelter from cold, drying winds (our yard faces east)

I also have a big red lobelia & a blue lacecap (???) hydrangea, both in containers - not sure what I should do about those. I'm thinking if I line the containers up in front of the raised bed then I could fleece over the lot when it's cold, would that work?

Oh dear - have just been googling Dipladenia, looks like it should probably be kept indoors over winter (min 15 degrees)

It's a lovely plant but I will probably kill it one way or another

I think the aster and capanula will be fairly hardy. I have those in my garden and never give them any special treatment over winter. Also, my salvias fare well outside without protection (I've got a South East facing garden) Hydrangeas are so common that they must do well outside, but one of mine couldn't cope with the drought this summer.

I'd look after the Dipladenia somehow and let the others fend for themselves. Aster, lobelia, capanula and salvia all like sunny spots, so choose the sunniest spot in your garden for them.

Hope this helps

will freesia survive over winter outdoors?

Don't know about that one. Google it.

Thank you, Effjay - that is really helpful! The main prob with mine is that they are all above ground so more susceptible to frost, but I'll try to look after them.

There is a sheltered SW-facing corner which is in tree shade in the summer, but fairly open in the winter (although still shaded by house & other walls when the sun is low), I can put the containers there & hope that will be OK for them.

I'll bring the Dipladenia inside over winter, apparently it prefers being in the smallest possibly pot anyway, & keep it on a sunny sill