storing perennials inside for winter

by Sharon
(Mississauga, Ontario)

Can I dig up my perennials and store them in my basement until moving into my new house in the spring? This should work with bulbs like Iris and lilies, shouldn't it? but can you do it with other perennials? I live in southern Ontario.

Doug says that you can do this if 1) the perennials are kept around 40F to keep them dormant
2) They are kept in the dark to keep them dormant
3) They are kept in relatively high humidity so they don't dry out

In other words, if you can keep them cold, dark and damp, (like they are in the ground) they will live. If you keep them cool and dry as you would a bulb - you'll kill them.

Iris "might" make it if you keep them cool enough but don't let them dry out too much or they'll wither away.

Lilies are bulbous plants and once they go dormant can handle being cool and dry (but not hot and dry) for the winter.

These are two separate kinds of plants with different needs.

But you *can* do it if you provide those conditions. Otherwise, leave them for the next owner and treat yourself to new plants.