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
Kristen says
Hi James, what should I do about honeysuckle, Esperanza, and jathropa?
We have some huge orange honeysuckle that are very mature and several that are about fence height roughly 2 years old, on the newer ones I haven’t been able to find any green under the bark. We also have large mature jathropa (however you spell that) and Esperanza.
Any advise is greatly appreciated!
James Gill says
I expect all of these are dead to the ground, but will probably grow back from the roots.
Teresa Ryan says
What about fox tail ferns in the ground.
james says
Cut off at the ground they will likely come back
Pam says
I have a mature Japanese blueberry tree, about 15 feet tall. The leaves were green, now they’ve turned yellowish and are falling off. I did the scratch test and some branches are green and others not as green. Should I wait to prune any limbs and see if there is any new leaf growth?
James Gill says
Yes, wait. Some plants looked pretty good a week after, but are cratering now. Time will tell.
Laurie says
Most of the palm leaves on our Pygmy palms are brown but are still firm and sprouting upward. We have trimmed the broken and drooping palm leaves. Should we also trim the firm brown palm leaves?
Laurie says
Never mind. Upon closer inspection, the leaves were worse than I thought.
James Gill says
Yes, I have observed the same.
Laine Bradford says
HI. Any advice on giant bird of paradise? All leaves brown and dropping/broken. If I cut the brown leaves, it will leave only the stalks/”fan” part of the plant. How low do you cut it? Thanks
James Gill says
Cut it low. We are hoping they will regrow from the base.
Elaine Clanton Harpine, Ph. D. says
I normally fertilize my roses at this time of year. I have trimmed the dead leaves off. I already have new growth and rose buds after the freeze. Should I go ahead and fertilize the roses or wait? Thank you.
James Gill says
Yes, you can fertilize now.
Mary Jo Norrell says
St Augustine grass looks dead but weeds look healthy . Please advise as to steps to take to help lawn.
James Gill says
Keep mowed so weeds do not get to set seed. Water if needed but most lawns seem to have some moisture present and better not to keep wet and encourage fungus. Fertilize once you have much green and active grass growth. Subscribe to our Gill Garden News for regular tips about whats going on in the lawn and garden. https://gillnursery.com/subscribe/
Virginia says
What about rosemary that’s in the ground. Many leaves are falling off, but it’s still mostly green.
James Gill says
We lost rosemary in pots but I think those in the ground will recover.
Heidi Frankland says
What should I do with my black looking firecracker plants and my very brown looking lantana?
Lisa Sutton says
What do you suggest for crown of thorns? It is looking pretty sad.
James Gill says
If unprotected and in a pot, probably dead. Check stems and roots for firmness, if you find any, cut away soft damaged tissue and set dry/callous.