Woody ornamentals can be damaged by cold temperatures due to three main factors: lack of hardiness, early or late-season frosts or unprotected root systems. A lot of the damage that I have personally encountered has been due to low temperatures causing bark splitting. This type of damage is often difficult to diagnose because the effects are usually very delayed.
Low temperatures typically either cause damage in the fall or late winter/early spring in our region. In the fall, we typically see damage occur when temperatures dip unexpectedly low before plants have a chance to harden off their tissues before the cold. Fertilizing late and fall pruning can make this worse, as both practices stimulate new tender growth that is vulnerable.
Similarly, when we have periods of warm temperatures that sharply contrast with cold temperatures in late winter and early spring, we see lots of damage. The warm temperatures coax the plants out of dormancy and stimulate new growth that is easily damaged by cold temperatures. A common symptom that I often see caused by cold damage is bark splitting.
This is when the stem or bark splits, usually near the base of the tree due to a wide swing in temperatures. If this happens at the crown, the plant may not survive. Another type of damage is known as frost cracks.
These are long cracks that are typically linear along a trunk or branch, and affect not only the bark but also the wood. These are commonly seen on the southward or southwest side of young and/or older trees with smooth bark (e.g. red maple).
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Temperatures tend to go to extreme heights during the summer and that can cause drought stress to lawns and gardens. You may be wondering why your lawn is turning brown or whether you can revive dead grass by watering it. There are easy answers to that but it’s better to know the signs of summer lawn stress and how to repair drought-damaged grass.
Winter season doesn’t mean you have to turn your back to your flower garden until spring comes. There is a good number of plants that bloom beautifully even in the coldest of weather. Let’s dig into their world and see which ones you will fancy.
As the country begins taking stock of the damage caused by hurricane Ophelia and works to restore power to much of Scotland and Northern England, gardeners throughout the country are lamenting the destruction of their gardens.
Snow in February can be very wet and thus heavy. Powdery dry snow is not so much of a problem for plants although it may be if caused by extra cold snow.
What can gardeners do in winter? The answer lies in the soil! but to old gardeners it is still ‘Beyond our Ken’. I often spent too long polishing my good intentions this includes planning to send my mower for servicing and sharpening’ a shame I do not plan to polish up my other important gardening implements.
Eryngium giganteum better known now as ‘Miss Willmott’s ghost’ is my reminder to get ready for colder weather and Christmas. I have disconnected my hose pipes, lagged outside taps and cleaned up at least one water feature. For some reason one job I procrastinate over is protecting my pots, containers and ornaments from hard frosts. I know it is time to insulate or put them on to legs to provide some protection. At least they are already grouped together, sheltered from high wind and some of the worst weather.
My mother very successfully grew Geraniums (pelargoniums) as indoor pot plants for many years. For the majority of gardeners the zonal geraniums are an outdoor feature of brightly coloured flowers that are often treated as annuals.
When deciding upon which trees and shrubs to plant in the landscape, I always suggest that gardeners consider plants that offer more than one season of interest. This aspect of consideration is usually not taken into account by most of the people that I speak with, but it certainly should. Especially since there are so many great trees and shrubs that help to brighten up the often-dreary winter landscape. There are several shrubs that flower in winter, some that display vibrant fruit, have interesting form or beautiful bark.
Have you noticed the persistent brown leaves still hanging on some deciduous trees long after their foliar companions have fallen? This usually becomes very apparent after normal leaf drop in early winter. These brown leaves may remain attached until spring bud growth pushes them free.
Evergreen trees and shrubs are prone to unsightly damage from winter storms. They can be splayed open like a blooming onion or flattened like a pancake by the weight of heavy snow or ice loads. Damaged shrubs sometimes resurrect themselves in a matter of days or weeks; other times, they require severe pruning and a long restoration period. Fortunately, diligent gardeners can take a few actions to prevent serious damage.