Perennial Flowers - Containers?

I live in Zone 5. If I want to grow perennial flowers in containers, is it best to leave the containers outdoors in the winter or bring them inside. I am afraid that the shallowness of the containers may freeze with our harsh winter but I am also concerned that bringinf them inside they won't hibernate and then grow the following spring.

Perennial Flowers - Containers?
If you have a garage, even an unheated one, you should be able to winter over containerized perennials there. I've done it in zone 4. I recommend raising them off the floor a few inches on something like a shipping pallet. I also had leftover bagged mulch so I surrounded them with that. I suppose bagged leaves or even old blankets would also help to insulate and protect them from temperature fluctuations. It's certainly worth a try. I had good success with it. An altenative method, which I haven't tried, is to sink the containers in a trench and backfill with soil. It always sounded like alot of work and space and I'm fond of my containers and never wanted to take a chance on them being frost damaged. Good luck!
Reply:Actually, if you have a basement, where it's cool, damp, and pretty dark, it should be fine in there until the frost is over. If you dont have a basement, you could get some coathangers you don't need and make a frame around the plant. put an old blanket over the plant and nail the blanket into the ground.
Reply:In containers they'll need heavy mulching and your prayers that you'll have lots of snow to protect them. I'm in zone 4 and it's a challenge with containers.
Reply:I'm in zone 6 and leave mine in containers but mulch good with leaves and place out of the direct winter wind. Looks like they will be ok this spring.
Reply:Perennials in pots may need some protection if they are outside during a cold winter, because roots can freeze without ground and perhaps mulch to help insulate the roots. Probably best bet would be to put them in a garage where they won't get heat, but will be protected from worst of cold. Alternatively, you can make a greenhouse for them with stakes and heavy plastic--just do not let the plastic touch the plants. Still another option is to plant the pots and all in the ground, cover them with mulch, then dig them back out it the spring. There are several options. Always water your plants well before a freeze. Soil will freeze on top and help provide insulation for roots. Good luck. Hope some of this helps.

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