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
Sonya says
What could I do with my banana trees? I had about 60 of them and some have fallen over at the ground but I have some still standing, basically the trunk part. What can I do tell if they might have any kind of chance to grow or do I need to take them all down to the ground? I’m so sad about these as they were my favorite.
James Gill says
Probably all dead to the ground, but squeeze the trunks of the standing ones, and if you find any firmness, cut to that point. You will not set any fruit this year, but they all should regrow from the below ground suckers. Thin them out if necessary (probably).
Eunice Hermann says
How about Pygmy Palms?
James Gill says
Many are dead. If the tip pulls out, you have a very small chance of survival. But if it doesn’t irk you to look at it, you can wait a few months to see if any new leaves emerge.
Monica Daniels says
Is there anything I can do with my evergreen Viburnum? Thanks, Monica
James Gill says
Can’t imagine it is totally dead, prune next week to live wood further down, scratch test.
Ro says
I have 3 large Sago Palms in pots and the leaves are white on top a n d yellowish green lower. Had them for years. Devastated and hope they can be saved
James Gill says
Sago will take months to put out new leaves, no guarantees. Trim and wait.
Ro says
My Yuccas in pots look terrible. Can they be saved?
James Gill says
If the stem is mushy, then throw out.
Shereen says
When will be the best time to trim the oleanders. They are about 12-15′ tall and most are brown. It is a wall of them about 30′ long.
James Gill says
If you wait just a few more days you should be able to scratch bark and see where you still have green. Cut at that point.
Kathleen Fleming says
Hi James,
I have two giant staghorn fern‘s that we covered but unfortunately they look really really brown. I am wondering are they done for or is there anything I can do
James Gill says
If not on the ground, probably dead. But only waiting will tell.
Tasha says
How about Esperanzas?
James Gill says
Probably dead to the ground, but will regrow from the stump and roots. Scratch the bark to see if there is any live tissue further up, bright green, not sickly yellow green.
Donna M. Mehle says
Hi James,
Phillip did landscaping design for us in 2019 that included Russelia, hamelia, agave attenuata, wandering jew – what about these? Thanks for all your help.
James Gill says
Agave attenuata is probably dead, others may well recover from roots. Prune this coming week or next. No rush to water and fertilize, that will be appropriate when you start to see new growth.
Pam says
Please provide information on salvia plants (Mexican and Wendy’s Wish). Mine look burnt.
James Gill says
Yes, trim back, they will likely regrow.