Over the next few weeks, we will be addressing the freeze damage to plants which everyone has suffered. We are working on a video giving easy to follow instructions about what to prune and how.
It is not critical, and in fact, may be too early, to start most pruning immediately. If you have palm leaves hanging down, you may prune them as soon as this last freeze (hopefully) passes. Gingers, which look blowtorched, may be cut to 18″ tall this weekend if desired. Blackened, wilted herbaceous plants like Mexican petunia (Ruellia) and shrimp plant can be cut close to the ground. But woody shrubs like ixora and plumbago, small trees like citrus, and sad looking philodendrons should be left alone another week until we can more closely determine the level of damage, and therefore where to prune.
Watch for us to address these recovery issues here in the Garden News and on social media. Email us at info@gillnursery or message us on Facebook and Instagram with your related questions, so our upcoming instruction video is as complete as possible in helping you through this temporary setback.
– James Gill
Jennifer Dixon says
Potted “powder puff” and sword ferns pruning time?
In ground established fox tail cut to above ground?
Boxwood started new growth but wind burned
Looking forward to seeing video!! Thanks for all the years of help
James Gill says
Potted powder puff and sword fern may be dead unless they were brought in. Prune and watch for new growth, keep your fingers crossed. Do not fertilize until new growth emerges.
Neida says
What about Birds of Paradise? Can they be pruned?
James Gill says
Yes, prune all dead leaves, which may be all leaves, but it can regrow from the base. Good care, and it can be a pretty plant again by the end of this summer.