Since we’ve had a cold winter compared to the last few, I am noticing some winter damage. Rule #1: DO NOT prune unless you are positive that the wood you are cutting is indeed dead. Just because leaves are browned by the winter does not mean the wood is dead. Nine times out of ten, the plant will begin to leaf-out at the appropriate time. The old leaves usually drop off when the plant begins to grow. Sometimes it takes awhile for the new growth to appear, especially after a cold winter. So please be patient and wait it out before cutting back or pulling a plant out.
Here’s what is showing damage in my garden:
--Nandinas, Gardenias, Little Gem Magnolia, Loropetalum, some of the Indica Azaleas, Cast Iron Plants—all have minor to moderate leaf burn.
--Liriope, Mondo Grass, and Dwarf Mondo Grass. All burned, particularly the Dwarf Mondo. However, all crowns (centers of the plants) look healthy and I expect they’ll green up in time. Definitely a year to cut your liriope back; you can cut it to the ground. Don’t wait too long or you’ll cut off the new growth that should begin emerging soon. Don’t cut Mondo Grass or Dwarf Mondo Grass back, other than the tips—a South Carolina friend once told me that cut-back Mondo Grass takes longer to recover. Since he’s a horticulturist, I’ll take his word for it.
All the above plants should recover and thrive.
Surprisingly, my Needle and Windmill Palms, Fatsias, and Camellias all look great.
I have noticed root rot damage, from cold and wet soil, on the following: Rhododendron, Otto Luykens Laurel, Yews, and Daphne. These may or may not recover.
Here is what’s blooming in my garden:
--Pieris, Hellebores (Lenten Roses—cut off the old leaves so blooms show their best), Winter Daphne, Winter Honeysuckle, Winter Hazel, Sweet Box, Edgeworthia, Leatherleaf Mahonia. And of course the early daffodils and crocus.
If you have houseplants indoors, now is the time to begin feeding them with a water-soluble fertilizer such as Peters or Miracle-Gro. I just fed mine today. Do it every two weeks until you take them outside. Don’t put them outside until all danger of frost is past—usually by May 1st here in the DC area, earlier South, later to the North.
Don’t forget we offer spring maintenance—clean-up, feeding, pruning/clipping, edging, mulching, and applying weed preventer. The crews are top-notch. Let me know if you need help with this or anything else in your garden.
