I have purchased several of your Flower Fields "Argyranthemum Bright Carmine P.P. #14128" this spring and have had much success with them. I had planted them in two large whiskey barrels and they are (to this day) still blooming (even now in Late October in these cooler temps in Connecticut). They are beautiful!!!

However, they have grown so large, and it's coming upon winter, and I don't know what to do with them at this change of season. Do I cut them back or just let them die out in their current blooming form? We are expecting a rather heavy storm tomorrow (cold rain and lots of heavy wind, so I'm hoping you get this e-mail today and can respond to this request of garden care for these beautiful flowers.)

Also, your particular garden care insert for this flower doesn't indicate whether the "Argyranthemum Bright Carmine P.P. #14128" is considered a perennial or an annual flower. Can you please advise about this too?

Thank you so much for your assistance!!! I would definitely purchase more of your flowers as I've had such wonderful success with them!!!!

Sincerely,
Concerned Garden Care Person

We are pleased you have had such good results with this argyranthemum. It is unique as it was the very first red argyranthemum introduced to the market! To answer your questions, this species (Argyranthemum) is considered an annual, especially in your region. In milder climates of the southeast - southwest, these plants can survive the winter provided there is not a hard frost that can cause significant die-back.

It may be possible for you to overwinter this plant indoors if you care to take the time / effort to provide protection to the plants from extemes in cold. Moving the plants to an area where you can keep cool throuhout the winter they will survive, but without strong light the growth should be stretched and weak. If you do this, you need to trim plants back and provide periodic fertilization and care to control any insects or diseases. The quality of these plants will not be as good as starting with fresh plants again, but certainly they can and will survive with care.

Hope this helps. Jack