By Banwelljamie
Somerset,
United Kingdom 
Hi Everyone,
I live in Somerset and I have two Gunnera manicata's. At the time of writing this both have sent up new growth and are pushing up the winter protection (straw/fleece).
It's only February and I'm scared to uncover them so early. This is my first year with gunnera and both plants are in very large pots and have a spread of around 6 foot with the crown being c 8 inches in diameter. They are situated in a walled courtyard and I did very well with the care of them last summer.
Can you offer me some guidance as both were in excess of £100 each as they are semi-mature? I'd be mortified if I lost them!
On plant
Gunnera manicata
2 Feb, 2013
Answers
I agree, i would plant them out soon. But do cover the crowns if there is a cold snap. To be sure, you could slice a piece of crown off each autumn and pot it up, then you'll have a replacement if anything goes wrong.
3 Feb, 2013
Related photos
-
Paulsgarden
-
Dawnsaunt
-
Dawnsaunt
-
Treesandthi..
Related products
-
Gunnera Manicata
£14.00 at Burncoose -
Gunnera Manicata (Chile Rhubarb)
£12.99 at Crocus
Previous question
« Hello,I would like to know the best solution to kill off the grass and weeds around...
Next question
I am not sure that Gunnera really need all the protection that the books say, JB. We grow them here in the north of Scotland and just pull the old leaves over the crown at the start of winter. If you are concerned about yours I would suggest getting some frost protection fleece and cover the plants when a heavy frost is forcast, removing the fleece afterwards. I would think that their main danger is from the containers and compost freezing solid in the event of a long freeze-up. Ours are in the ground.
2 Feb, 2013