Winter Protection for Flowering Shrubs
Monday November 5, 2007
One of the most common springtime questions is why aren't my 'Fill In the Names' blooming. And the most common answer is that the flower buds were killed by winter cold, harsh winds or a late spring frost. David Beaulieu has some advice on the need for winter protection and just how you go about providing winter protection for flowering shrubs with a shrub shelter.
Photo: © Marie Iannotti (2007) licensed to About.com, Inc.
Comments
Another great way to protect smaller shrubs is to use your tomato or peony cages (that have probably become trip hazards in a corner of the garden by this time anyway!). Put them over your shrub and plant them firmly in the ground. Wrap the exterior of the cage with burlap. Fill the air space in between with dried leaves. Evergreen boughs can cover the top. Caution: this procedure should be executed very loosely so as to maintain airflow. Never do this with live leaves remaining on the shrub since they won’t be getting much light once wrapped. If your region is taking its time moving into winter, plant the cages now and complete the process after the first hard frost. In spring, loosen the burlap early on and ensure adequate airflow. You may want to take out some of the leaves at that time and gradually bring the plant into the new season. This worked really well in Toronto last year when my roses leafed out and hydrangeas budded at Christmas, then winter hit in January. I had quite a bit of die-back, but did not loose any shubs.