How to Protect Broadleaf Evergreens from Winter Damage

Proper year-round irrigation and protection from drying winds goes a long way in keeping these prized plants going strong

Broadleaf evergreenssuch as southerly magnolia ( Magnoliagrandifloraand cvs . , Zones 6–10 ) are a welcome sight in wintertime , tot color to the dormant landscape . These plants , however , are often susceptible towinter harm . Winter on theSouthern Plainsis qualify by all-inclusive variation in temperature , prolonged teetotal full point , and drying tip that can damage broadleaf evergreen plant in improver to magnolia such as box ( Buxusspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , Holly ( Ilexspp . and cvs . , zone 4–11 ) , fringe flowers ( Loropetalumchinenseand cvs . , Zones 7–9 ) , mahonias ( Berberisspp . and cvs . , syn . Mahoniaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) , and laurels ( Prunusspp . and cvs . zone 5–9 ) . you’re able to keep winter damage to a minimum through heedful works location and childlike plant life sustainment practices .

Preventing broadleaf evergreen winter damage

The primary cause of wintertime scathe to broadleaf evergreens is desiccation , which leave in winter - burned foliage . Damaged foliage appear reddish brown , yellow , white-hot , or grey green in color . Broadleaf evergreen plants are more susceptible to the drying effects of wind than needledevergreensbecause their leaf drop off wet at a higher rate . urine red ink is exacerbated when high wind or temporary warm atmospheric condition causes a works to give off an unusually high amount of moisture . When this pass during time period when the primer coat freeze , plants are unable to take up moisture from thesoil . Unfortunately , we can not assure the atmospheric condition , but we can protect plants for desiccation .

Properly irrigated plants stand up better to winter conditions

asseverate plant wellness throughout the grow season encourages great resiliency to winter damage . right wateringis critical , both during the growing season and in the winter months . Water shrubs during dry flow throughout the year to ensure that plants enter winter in a healthy shape . uphold irrigate as the weather cools . Many citizenry stop water when go down arrives . Unless rainfall is sufficient , broadleaf evergreen flora want supplementalirrigationat least once per month during the fall and winter months to keep dirt moist and plants hefty . Water plant at midday when air temperatures are above 40 ° degree Fahrenheit .

Not only does soil wet replenish thirsty foliation , but it also protect plant life roots duringcold snap , as moist soil holds more heat than dry soil . This is true for all the plants in your landscape painting , not only broadleaf evergreens . see the weather prognosis , and be sure to water all plantings at least 24 hour before hard - freezing conditions arrives . Keep an eye on plants under eaves and in containers , which tend to dry out out faster than other areas of the landscape painting .

Pruning and fertilizing at the wrong time of year leads to winter damage

It is also important topruneandfertilizeat the proper time of year . Fertilizer applications made late in the growing season advance new development that does not have fourth dimension to indurate off before the winter . The same is on-key of pruning . Heavy pruning late in the summer can do novel maturation that will enter the wintertime in a ship’s boat state . Most broadleaf evergreens demand little pruning . When necessary , prune in late winter just before new growth starts in the natural spring or after flowering forspring pants .

Protecting plants from wind and cold is worth the extra effort

A great raft of wintertime damage can be avoided by properly sit sensitive plant in the landscape painting . boxwood , for lesson , are ill-famed for winter tan . Planting these shrub in expanse protected from drying winter winds will go a long way toward preventing hurt . Place raw plants on the east and south sides of buildings or behind a shelter fencing . For works already established in windy locations , a impermanent wind respite can be used . Set snow fences or gunny stretched between bet or over a fretwork frame on the north and northwest sides of plants to shelter against wintertime wind .

Winter industrial plant protection starts at the undercoat . Mulchbroadleaf evergreens with a 2- to 4 - column inch layer of woodchips , pine needles , leaves , or other mulch to preserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures . Apply mulch after the first voiceless freezing . This protective mantle also clear another winter trouble : heaving soils . due to substitute warming and freezing as temperature warm during the day and drop at nighttime , heaving is not a trouble for most shrubs , but it can lift shoal - rooted perennials and newly instal plants out of the ground .

It is significant to note that USDA winter hardiness paygrade are not a guarantee against winter damage . Hardiness describes a industrial plant ’s power to withstand cold temperature . Even the hardiest shrub are susceptible to the dry out issue of winter winding . Take fear to wield works health and be extra argus-eyed in the decline and winter months , when the rest of the garden is move to sleep , to keep an eye on evergreen plant .

— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist based in Stillwater , Oklahoma . She antecedently hostedOklahoma Gardening , a hebdomadal PBS television program produce by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .

exposure : Kim Toscano

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