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
Lisa Golab says
I have 2 large plumeria that are weeping, a plumbago & meyer lemon tree. Hopeful they survive.
James Gill says
If the plumeria are in pots they are most likely dead. If in the ground, probably dead to the ground and may come back from there. Plumbago same, but most sure to come back from ground. Citrus have not yet shown the extent of their damage, we don’t know.
Lisa Golab says
Both plumeria & plumbago are in ground. Will wait to see. Lemon tree leaves are all yellowed. It had the most blooms ever before the freeze. Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated.
Barbara Honaker says
One other question….I have a ponytail palm that is about 5 feet tall. It still has leaves but they are very droopy……just keep watering it? Thanks.
James Gill says
If the ponytail is in a pot it is most likely dead. In the ground it may sprout from the base. Wait and see.
Barbara Honaker says
Mr. Gill, what about a frozen firebush? Can I cut it down to the ground? I am doing the same for foxtail fern and asparagus. Thank you.
James Gill says
Yes, cut all to the ground.
Daryl Taliaferro says
We have a screened in patio and pulled the shades down had five huge house plants inside they were at least four feet tall, corn plant, elephant ears schefalerra etc all froze and the leaves laying down and black in color. Can they be brought back or history? Thank you for all your help with all of us gardeners
James Gill says
If you had supplemental heat then a chance. Squeeze the stems, scratch the bark. Cut away dead. Wait for live to show.
Bob says
Is St Augustine dead or most likely just dormant? Also, what about a Jatropha and an Avocado tree? Several fronds collapsed on my queen palms but the newest vertical fronds at the top look fine so I am hoping they will be ok. Thanks so much for your advice!!
James Gill says
St. Augustine will likely come back. Wait until it is actively growing before you fertilize. Jatropha and avocado most likely dead to the ground. Queens palm is questionable, just wait and see. Palm video should be out on our email
this Thursday. https://gillnursery.com/subscribe/
Patricia says
Can I cut my asparagus ferns now, and should I cut them down to the ground? They are brown.
James Gill says
Yes cut now and to the ground. They will come back.
Mike says
My cardboard palms are brown from the freeze. Should they be cut back or can they recover?
James Gill says
Cut off dead leaves and wait. Like maybe 4 months! They will be slow to put out new leaves, if they are in pots they are likely dead, but if in the ground I would keep them and see if they recover.
Deborah Beseda says
Thank you so much for all your information on how to save or bury our frozen plants. You are a life saver. Appreciated so much from George West Texas. See you soon for new plants
Dorothy McCallum says
Thanks for all the info. All the comments so far has covered everything for me except the staghorn ferns and figured it was going to be a wait and see game. I have in the past cut back my bird of Paradise, almost to the ground, due to bugs. It came back beautifully.
You’ll be busy this spring for sure!
James Gill says
Been thinking about your plants. Hope the Norfolk is ok.
Dorothy says
Funny, we thought of you too!
We got 60 ish feet of not -so -happy.
Dorothy says
James,
YIKES! My pony tail palm has splits and is hemorrhaging.
Is that expected?
James Gill says
Yes, expected. If it is in a pot it may be dead. If in the ground, it will maybe grow new sprouts from the base. Just wait and see, and you can cut off any collapsing portions.
Debbie Wall says
Hi James! Should plants be watered now and cutback? Or just cutback from where you see green bark and then wait to water? When can you fertilize?
James Gill says
Water if soil is dry, not because leaves are brown. Fertilize after growth starts