Any substance that traps air or provides cover has "insulating value" in the sense of giving winter protection, including peat moss. Funny how these notions get started. We used large quantities of peat moss for years for successful overwintering of tender roses - the only thing is that the short-fibre variety needs to be be covered with some coarser material (bark mulch, soil) to keep it in place.

Thanks for the info AB, I guess I don't have much choice anyway.

Sierra

Any leaves? If what you're mulching, such as roses pruned to the ground, can take the weight of matted down leaves, they work well. Just keep them from blowing away.

I use spoiled hay, myself. During the growing season, I keep a thick mulch and any hay sxeeds that sprout get covered with a handful of mulch.

Peat moss works great for me. I don't see why anyone would say it is a poor insulator. I use that and leaves on my roses.

Indeed peat moss is a GREAT insulator! You just have to keep the stuff from blowing away by using some form of covering.

Terry