Cover Cold Sensitive Plants

Protect Young Plants from the Cold.    Should warm weather occur later this winter, it could cause early new bud growth on such shrubs.  If so, you should monitor the weather forecasts, and if dramatic low temperatures with frost are predicted, it would be sensible to cover the most affected plants (e.g., Hydrangeas) during such nights (using row covers, or simple bed sheets).  Regardless, most shrubs thusly damaged last winter recovered nicely in the spring, particularly if simply left alone, despite their wilted appearance, until the temperatures warmed up.

In Case of Snow….  If we do have prolonged heavy snowfalls, it is important to check on any fragile shrubs and trees that could be harmed.   Newly installed plants are particularly delicate and susceptible to damage from heavy snow.  If there should be a lengthy snowstorm, periodically – e.g., every few hours – it would be wise to go outside and brush snow off of shrubs and trees (yes, even though trees look nice with snow covering their branches).  You can also shake plants to dislodge snow.  It is best to use a broom and sweep the snow lightly upwards off of the branches, starting at the top of the plant and working down. 

Remove Snow from  Evergreens.    Broadleaf evergreen shrubs are most susceptible to heavy snow damage (e.g., Nandina, Rhododendron, Mahonia, Viburnum, Pieris, Boxwood, Japanese Holly, Cherry Laurel, Azalea, Euonymus, Aucuba, etc.).  Conifers — such as Yew, Juniper, Falsecypress, Arborvitae, and Cryptomeria – are a bit hardier, but still can suffer branch breakage from the heavy snow that accumulates particularly at the top of the plant.  In fact, if tall, such plantings can be bent down to the ground by heavy snow, and it is imperative to ‘release’ them.  Otherwise, the bark can be damaged from the stress of the snow.  They may be crooked after being released, but they should straighten in the spring.  They should be viable if addressed quickly rather than letting the snow remain and damage them.   If they are young and fragile, it is worth tying them to stakes or fencing temporarily to help straighten them.  Particularly vulnerable specimens might benefit from some physical support prior to the onset of winter, particularly if heavy snowfalls are predicted.

Leave Ice Alone.  If shrub and tree branches are covered by ice, rather than light snow, then it is best to leave that until it melts, because small branches could easily be broken by efforts to dislodge the ice.

Freezing and Thawing Cycles.  Alternative freezing and thawing can also harm perennials.  This can cause plants to heave out of the ground, leaving roots exposed, causing damage or death to plants.  If it becomes very cold and snowy, plants should be inspected after temperatures moderate above freezing.  If you see any plants that appear to be lifted above the ground with roots exposed, you should try to temporarily fix this by digging up some soil and placing it around the base of affected plants to cover the roots.  Later on – late spring – it may be helpful to dig out such plants and reinstall them deeper into the ground.  A good layer of mulch should protect against this occurrence.

Snow is an Insulator.   Snow on the ground at the base of plants is actually helpful by providing insulation.  So leave it be.  Just take care not to compact the ground adjacent to your plantings by walking through the snow that is in the gardens or near the trees (except as needed to remove the snow from those plants.)

Enjoy the beauty of snow in the landscape.  But as you head out to shovel your walkway or blow the snow off of your driveway, don’t forget to sweep the white frosty covering from your precious plantings to protect them for seasons to come.

Photo credits:  (1)  Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp (Hoosier Gardener); (2) Better Homes and Gardens

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The snow is pretty though

Not a typical sight in spring

Glad I enjoyed spring flowers just yesterday.  One of the nicest, but small delicate, Katherine Hodgkin dwarf iris may
not make it through the heavy snow fall.

Iris reticulata ‘Katherine Hodgkin’

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‘Jelena’ Witchhazel in February

Witchhazel hybrids. Hamemelis x intermedia. One of the more vivid cultivars – ‘Jelena’, for some reason, has come in more red than copper in hue this year, but this allows it to really pop in the dull winter landscape. This close-up photo highlights the interesting form of the bloom, which is reminiscent of crepe-paper or a spider. This large shrub or small tree has outstanding four-season interest in the landscape, including vivid fall leaf color, and warm-hued flowers in yellow, copper, or red hues to add some fire to the dull winter landscape.

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose).  This wonderful evergreen perennial, which tolerates shade and is reliably deer-resistant, is blooming a bit late this winter.  This perennial spreads over time to fill in nicely through the landscape.  Shown here (below left) is a close-up photo to show how lovely a single inflorescence looks in the winter landscape (though there are many flowers ready on pop on the same plant).

Helleborus orientalis (Lenten Rose) flowers in February

‘Katherine Hodgkin’ dwarf Iris blooming March 1st

Dwarf Iris.  Sure, there are many early winter bulbs around the landscape, including several daffodil varieties, and snowdrops.  More unusual specimens truly make the landscape pop.  Here is the first dwarf iris starting to emerge.  This one is Iris reticulata ‘Katherine Hodgkin’, sporting unique powder blue and yellow petals with interesting ink-colored markings.   Each flower is a work of art.  These short flowering bulbs are nicely placed near the front entrance to be seen close-up as you walk by.

Erica (Heath) blooms for many months beginning in early winter

Erica blooms in shades of purple/pink and white

Erica x darleyensis (Heath) is one of my favorite mounding evergreen ‘subshrubs’ for a sunny spot. Most think it is ‘heather’, which is not as heat tolerant in this area. Erica is a great evergreen groundcover – a small rounded shrub that holds its own through the year – sporting nice short dark green needle-like foliage that is covered with bell-shaped pendulous flowers in mauve or white from early winter (sometimes as early as  October) through May. While I love the display of color during snow in winter (photo on the right).  The photo on the left shows a close-up of the very-summery hued blossoms gracing the landscape in February.

Crocuses – their appearance is a tease that spring is sure to arrive – someday, relatively soon.  This group of crocuses has been in bud for some time, and is just waiting for a tad more warm-up to burst forth in bloom.

Crocus: a signal that spring cannot be far off

          Photos by Connie J. Bowers

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