How To Protect Gunnera manicata for Winter - 'Giant Chilean Rhubarb'

Gunnera Manicata has enormous foliage and works well in very moist conditions, even in the pond! If you want to create a massive display of large leaves this is the plant. Gunnera Manicata is not always a hardy plant and this guide should help you protect your plant in order to achieve the best growing results, year after year.
Big Plant Nursery are specialist growers and importers of hardy exotic plants including hardy exotic and architectural trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants. We grow a wide range of bamboos, Japanese maples, Palms and stunning birch trees along wth a wide selection of Ginkgo varieities. We are located just 40 miles south of London in West Sussex and only 15 minutes from the coast.

[@nickwilson5637]

Run the stems and any unused leaf through a chipper with a little wheat straw and add them to the worm bin. Pop the castings around the crown after the last frost, collect the old cover leaves and run them through the chipper and worm bin for a summer boost of nutrition. Wash rince repeat every year, jobs a good en

[@alfonsopigmaster234]

Nice Instruction.

[@goldenwithahintofboss8787]

Hello, I am in Canada. In zone 4 to 5. Will it grow here? Can I protect it from our very cold winter months with it coming back successfully? Beautiful plant indeed.

[@explantculture]

Do you remove the dead leaves in spring or will the new growth push through?

[@mannyblewuk1570]

I have mine for 5 years but each year it dies back, I was going to try build a shelter around it to see it it kept growing as it don’t seem to be getting bigger, looking at this video I have to cut it down every year but then how will it ever grow bigger , Any advice please

[@litia]

It will grow more and more roots every year and eventually the new growth will be much bigger than before. The one in this video is in a nursery and probably much older than yours. That's what I think.

[@mannyblewuk1570]

litia Thank you for your great advice, Do you know when is the best time to dig one up as it’s not doing as well as the other, Thanks

[@litia]

@@mannyblewuk1570 This is what I found : They grow best in wet, deep, fertile soil in part or dappled shade, protected from hot afternoon sun. One successful approach is to fill a large planting hole with a mixture of loam and well-aged manure; Gunneras are heavy feeders and require a continual supply of water, however the crown must remain above water. Native to the cloud forests of the Andes, so they like moderate temperatures, moderate humidity, and moderate light. If you do decide to replant in the ground please wait until Fall, but ideally in the Spring.

[@mannyblewuk1570]

litia Thank you so much for your help, I will move my small one in February or March if not to cold