Today we’re visiting with Helaine McDermott from western Connecticut.

Pink hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens, Zones 3–9) blooms behind a big clump of bear’s breeches (Acanthus mollis, Zones 6–9).

A beautiful clump of variegated Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra, Zones 5–9)

Begonia ‘Bonfire’ (Zones 9–11)i is usually grown as an annual, but Helaine has had this plant for eight years now. Each fall, she just puts it in the garage before the first frost and lets it go dormant, giving it no water during the winter. In spring she takes it out and waters it again, and it comes back into growth.

This begonia gets the same treatment—dry in the garage all winter—and also overwinters just great.

And, again, this purple heart (Tradescantia pallida, Zones 7–10) spends the winter in the garage. Many plants grown as annuals or tropicals in northern climates can be overwintered dry and cool in a garage or basement. Not all will survive that way, but if you have one you love that looks good before frost, it is worth giving it a try and seeing if you can get another year of growth out of it.

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