Larry815

I know that its getting later in the growing season already....but I am gonna try once again to try and winter over my Basjoo's
The first year I threw some mulch on them...thinking that was enough...and well it didnt work...and had to buy new plants....
the 2ed year....I didnt think they grew enough ...about a foot to foot and a half...so I dug them up and wintered them in the house....
the 3ed year....they grew only to about 3.5 -4 ft tall...but I was happy....and chopped them down....built a chicken wire cage around them and filled it with mulch...and wrapped it in plastic....well
this past spring I got NOTHING!!! they were dead???????????????
So This being my 4th year im gonna try again... any ideas? I do live south of chicago,,, in Joliet, Il that is still zone 5.
I did read on another site.... take a old garbage can (plastic) and fill it half with mulch and flip it over and stake it down???? i might try that???/
any other ideas? I know that people get there Basjoos to live in this part of the country?
What am I doing wrong?????????????????