Enduring the cold snap

In March the discussion between gardeners was about global warming. In April the discussion was about global freezing. Now the discussion is about global plant confusion. So what do we make of all of the recent weather anomalies and their effects on plants?

The frost turned this boxwood brown on top, but it will grow normally.

Immediately after this last cold spell, when temperatures reached record lows in April, I talked with many horticultural professionals. The theme running through the conversations was the same -- we are now entering virgin territory. We don't know how woody landscape plants are going to respond to this period of cold stress.

Even now, I get call after call. "My crape myrtles are dead. All of the leaves have fallen off my Japanese maple. The 100-year-old oak tree in the back doesn't have any leaves on it. Is everything dead?"

As much as I would like to be able to tell you that every plant in your landscape is going to make it, I can't. Each individual plant will respond to the cold spell differently. Even plants of the same variety, planted just a few feet apart, may respond differently.

The condition of each plant before this last cold spell will affect how it responds. Even though two plants are of the same variety, one may have been suffering from another kind of stress before the cold.

If you think all plants of the same variety should react the same way to cold stress, just think about your friends. We are all humans, yet some get sick while others don't.

I can't tell you whether a particular plant is going to make it. But I can make three suggestions on what you should do to enhance the ability of your landscape plants to repair and heal themselves after this recent cold spell.

Despite its appearance, this Bloodgood Japanese maple tree survived the recent frost. (Fred Lynch)

First and foremost, with woody landscape plants, be patient. Many of the plants that you may think are dead, such as crape myrtles, may come back to life. Wait until June 15 or the first of July to decide whether they are going to put on leaves again. If a plant doesn't show sign of life after that date, remove it and plant a new one.

Many plants will start putting on new leaves, but you will find that some branches or portions of branches will be dead. Prune out those dead branches after June 15. It will be easier to tell what part of your shrub or tree is dead.

Also, fertilize your trees and shrubs with a tree and shrub fertilizer such as a 19-8-10 with micronutrients. Your landscape plants need to absorb nutrients from the soil and start repairing their internal damage. If you fertilize now, those nutrients will be available when the plant needs it.

Finally, remember that your landscape plants have experienced a tremendous amount of stress due to the cold. Any other form of additional stress could be fatal to your plants. If we get a drought period during the summer, make sure you occasionally water your landscape plants during this summer and next summer. Eliminating drought stress could be just the thing to make a difference as to whether your landscape plant lives.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or by e-mail to news@semissourian.com.