Spring in the south can sometimes be a tough season for plant lovers and gardeners. With temperatures in the past few weeks getting into the seventies and eighties during the day, some folks may have gotten a bit too excited that winter was officially past. Alas, spring freezes are not uncommon- we had one last April where temperatures dropped into the 20’s, and just two weeks ago we saw similar temperatures across the county. Springtime then, is a risky time of year for plants in that new growth, buds, and blooms may be damaged when those temperatures plummet.
Fortunately, there is some good news to be had in this scenario. Shrubs, trees, and woody perennials usually don’t experience long-term damage or death due to a late freeze. You may see some damage to leaves and blossoms affecting the aesthetics of the plant, but overall, these types of plants can recover fairly easily. If that cold snap lasts more than a day or two however, these plants may experience more significant damage and death. The most significant factor contributing to how much damage your ornamental will show is how far along they were in the dormancy breaking process. Plants that have remained more dormant, with small, closed leaf buds will experience less damage, while plants with unfurled leaves will show more damage. Damage can show up in a variety of ways but will most likely consist of misshapen or brown leaves. Some of these plants may put out another flush of leaves as we head into warmer temperatures and once foliage fully emerges, you may not be able to tell the plant was ever damaged at all. The downfall however, is for plants that are further along in development. Flowering buds are much less resistant to cold damage, and those that have started to break dormancy may be destroyed for the year. This is most common on plants that flower on last years growth such as hydrangeas. Fruit trees and other flowering trees and shrubs that were in bloom may have a significant reduction in flowers for the remainder of the year.
Unfortunately, at this point, preventative actions are useless against preventing damage from the other week. With that said, there are a few things you can do to help reduce risk in your ornamentals. First and foremost, be sure to maintain healthy plants that are appropriate for our hardiness zone, as they are going to be most likely to have a long, healthy lifespan here. Be sure to prune and fertilize your plants at the correct time of year to prevent adding unneeded stress and new growth during this time of year. Proactive protection from cold temperatures can include things like covering plants with fabric like sheets or burlap. Plastic should not be used, as it retains moisture which can then freeze and cause worse damage. You can add extra heat by wrapping the plant in Christmas tree lights, or filling milk jugs with warm water to help the plant weather the conditions.
If you do have a plant that experienced cold damage, it may be too early to do much about it- yet. If you prune damage too early, you may encourage new growth that can be susceptible for a second late freeze. We recommend waiting until mid-April to remove damaged areas. Also note that pruning can cut away some of this years buds, reducing flowers and fruit production. Follow good fertilization and irrigation principles, and keep a close eye on your plants for insect or disease damage, as stressed plants are more susceptible to attack.
