Winter Plant Care in Zone 5

[PurpleThumb]

This is our first winter living in a zone 5 area. What general tips do we need to do to protect our shrubs/perennials/bulbs/tubers for the winter?
We have a Weeping Willow, Emerald Greens, lilacs, hydrangeas, gladioli, ornamental grasses, and butterfly bushes.

[opabinia51]

A nice thick mulch over the soil surrounding the plants and bulbs. I use mulched up leaves and some manure on top of that.

The leaves will protect the roots and the the manure will speed the decomposition of the leaves so that you will have lovely soil come spring.