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Winter Weather and How It May Have Affected YOUR Plants
There are several factors that can cause plants and lawns to become damaged over the winter. Colder than normal temperatures, salt and frost damage, desiccation, and large amounts of snow are all damaging factors we have noted this winter. With heavy snow piles and extended periods of snow on lawns, we can expect a significant amount of snow mold and turf death this spring. Regardless of the type of damage to your plants, it will be important to monitor and treat only as necessary. Often we think when a plant turns brown it needs water or fertilizer, however, these remedies may worsen the problem. Many regular fertilizers have a salt content in them and will burn or desiccate the plant even more. Applying more water to a plant that has a root rot pathogen may not only cause it to decline faster but will spread the disease in the soil, potentially harming other plants. If you need advice we are happy to assist and will likely recommend that we “Assess or Test” before action is taken. |
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Frigid Temperatures
We have had another winter with record low temperatures. This leads us to speculate that there will likely be some damage to many of our landscape plants native to warmer hardiness zones. Japanese maples, Florida dogwoods, rhododendrons, azaleas and hollies are a few examples of plants that would be less likely to tolerate the extreme cold. The exception would be plants that exist in a microclimate that protects them from extreme temperatures, or plants that were insulated by deep snow. Plants like boxwoods, hollies, rhododendrons and azaleas may grow low enough to the ground that the snow cover insulated all or part of them. Generally we won't know which plants have been damaged by the cold until the temperature increases, prompting them to emerge from dormancy. Signs of cold weather damage are tip dieback and/or browning or discoloration of the foliage. Once extreme cold temperature damage has been diagnosed, we can work with you to set up a plan. This may include proper watering and moisture control, specialized soil amendments, microbes and fertilization, and proper pruning. If the plant has been severely stressed, this could lead to secondary pest problems and potentially even death. |
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Frost Damage
Frost damage can also be an issue in the spring as temperatures fluctuate. This occurs when the weather warms up and plants start to break bud. At this point, the leaf and bud tissue is very sensitive and frost will rupture the cells of newly forming leaves. In some cases, this can kill off the entire bud causing twig dieback or absence of flowers or fruit. In less severe cases, the plant will still leaf out, but with browning and distortion of the leaves. If the flower has already bloomed and there is a frost, the flower will turn brown and wilt. |
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Desiccation
Desiccation is the loss of water from foliage and commonly causes winter injury to evergreens including but not limited to, hemlocks, spruces, arborvitae, boxwoods, white pine, euonymus, fir, rhododendrons, azaleas, and holly. Reddish-brown coloring on the tips and around the margins on needles and leaves are indicators of desiccation. For plants facing the south, exposure to sunny and windy conditions during the winter will cause foliage to lose moisture. These plants are alternately being heated and cooled as the sun comes and goes over the course of the day, causing more water loss than to a plant sheltered from the sun. Salts and deicers, poor or reduced root systems and a lack of soil moisture in the fall, can also cause desiccation. There isn’t be much you can do now for the leaves and needles that have been damaged, but we can help reduce the salts and strengthen the plant through specialized amendments and fertilization. It is a good practice in the fall to water your evergreens up until the ground freezes, apply an anti-desiccant product to slow the process of transpiration, and cover those plants that are highly sensitive. |
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Deer and Animal Feeding
Deer love to munch on popular landscape plants like yews and arborvitae in any season, but during the winter food gets scarce for deer around Southeast Michigan, and the evergreen shrubs around your home can easily turn into their favorite buffet! This type of damage is very noticeable, and over the course of several years could even kill your plants. As the spring approaches animals like deer and rabbits will feed on succulent and tender new growth, especially perennials like Hostas. Consider applying an animal repellant early and often to distract those persistent pests. Ask us about adding this service to your landscape plants to ward off unwanted backyard snacking! |
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What is spruce decline and what should you do about it?
"What’s wrong with the blue spruce trees in my neighborhood? Colorado blue spruce trees have long been among the most popular conifers for landscaping in Michigan and the upper Midwest. Blue spruce trees are widely planted due to their good growth rate, stately form and, of course, their blue foliage. Unfortunately, blue spruce trees are subject to a wide range of insect and disease problems that can impact their growth and aesthetic appeal..." Click Here to Read More at the MSU Extension Website |