That fluffy white stuff will be falling over the landscape soon, or perhaps it is already blanketing yours! Don’t grumble much while picking up the shovel this year because that blanket is just that - an insulating layer that protects plants all winter long!
Especially for those gardeners in colder regions who expect snow all winter, next time you are out clearing your sidewalks and driveways, keep this free resource in mind when getting your garden ready for winter!
Preventing Winter Damage - With Snowy Benefits!
Temperature swings, sub-zero weather, frost, and icy winds take a toll on all plants, but especially non-native varieties. Special preparation is needed to protect plants from the damaging effects that winter can have!
Snow and other protective layers are vital for more delicate plant material, and in cold climates, these are crucial to help them survive the winter.
Insulation helps prevent:
- Windburn, dieback & needle blanching on Evergreens
- Drying out & freezing below tolerance levels
- Salt damage to plant roots along driveways, sidewalks & streets
- Protects against soil heaving due to temperature swings
The Perfect Insulation For Your Plants
There is a reason it’s called a blanket!
Snow is insulating! It raises soil temperatures, protects dormant plants from drastic temperature changes, and keeps their root systems from drying out.
Icy, drying winds can take their toll on exposed crowns and shoots, but a snowy barrier between them and the air temperature protects against all of this!
Plus, that snow cover slowly melts and gradually saturates the ground, your roots are ensured a free drip-irrigation system compliments of Mother Nature.
Fall Preparation & Tips
Choose hardy plants that can survive the climate variability in your growing zone. Be sure your trees and shrubs are very well-watered before the ground freezes.
Adding a layer of arborist mulch, combined with a loosely piled top dressing of dry, clean leaves or other mulch alternatives, holds in moisture while protecting roots.
Vines & Climbing Plants
Long or tall vines and plant stems should be tied and/or staked to help support them. Tie up your plants to keep them standing tall in defiance of the whipping winter winds and heavy snowfall.
Binding the stems of large ornamental grasses and arching, cascading shrubs helps keep them from falling flat over the winter.
Roses & Flowering Shrubs
Roses love a snowy covering! For more info on winterizing Roses, you can check out our Garden Blog. Check out more info for your Climbing Roses here!
A layer of snow is great for the crowns of shrubs and roots! Just be careful not to pile heavy snow on top of plants that might get crushed, such as Potentilla or Spirea. Shrubs with brittle stems also should be tied up protectively in the fall, or have supportive metal hoops around them to help support their branches.
The addition of piled-up snow protects the stems from being tossed by the drying winter winds and frost. The exposed parts are going to be trimmed down anyway in the early spring, allowing the new growth to grow from the protected sections beneath their blanket of snow.
Rose Trees and other uniquely grafted tree-form plants need tender loving care in areas where winter may cause some damage. Most tree-form plants in hardiness zones 7 and warmer can simply remain in the ground without protection, beyond some mulch and fall watering. If you live in hardiness zones below zone 7, you should consider protection for these prized plants.
Don’t trim your Roses in the fall, but wait until spring; if there is any winter damage, you will cut that off anyway.
If your tree Roses (or other plants) are grown in containers, you can allow them to go dormant outside, then you can place these dormant potted plants in an unheated garage or porch for the winter, maintaining moisture as needed.
Outside plants growing below zone 7 (or if you simply want to ensure your plants are extra protected from winter damage), you can do the following:
- Put a cage around your plant and fill it with clean straw, leaves, or mulch after the plants have gone dormant
- Dig a trench and carefully place the dormant root ball and plant on its side in that trench, and backfill over the roots. Cover the rest with straw or mulch until spring
- Or, dig a hole on the east side of your home or garage, and sink the pot into the ground
For more tender plants and Roses, open styrofoam or insulated domes can be used to cover the main crown and lowest stems, protecting them from the most severe aspects of cold weather.
Perennial Plants & Ornamental Grasses
Allow perennials to be exposed to a couple of killing frosts before adding any mulch or pruning. The snow falling early you cannot help, but welcome this free insulation with open arms! The idea is to let the plants go dormant and then keep them dormant until the spring and the snow melts.
Ornamental Grasses can usually remain intact all winter for interest and sculpt the snows that fall.
The freezing and thawing process is hard on plants. Leave tops intact to hold larger amounts of snow, and keep mulch in place. This also lends winter interest and retains seeds for the birds!
Then, in the spring, remove the mulch and prune down the tops to the crowns to allow the new growth to develop, and give garden beds a renewed, refreshed look!
Evergreen Shrubs & Trees
Gardeners expecting heavy snow and ice, or who have evergreen shrubs that tend to get windburn, should wrap plants in a loose burlap sleeve and stake them up.
Evergreens release moisture through the leaves or needles all winter long, so in the fall, it is always important to provide ample soil moisture and then apply a good layer of mulch before the ground freezes. This helps prevent windburn, as well as preventing dieback from the roots not having enough water to support their needles.
This ensures your prized Boxwood topiaries or Holly bushes get through winter with little damage. Consider using an anti-transpirant on these high-profile plants to prevent winter burn on the foliage. This product coats the leaves of Evergreen landscape plants. Check out Bonide Wilt Stop to prevent damage in areas where windburn is prevalent.
Let It Snow!
You and your plants will be better off with that white fluffy protective layer that’s a free gift from Mother Nature! Next time you are grumbling about shoveling, remember those flakes are insulation for your plants!
Let NatureHills.com and our plant experts help make next spring’s blooms even brighter!
