Winter damage usually becomes evident the following spring, when shrubs are already in recovery mode or even dying.
Keep Your Shrubs Well-Watered
Healthy and adequately hydrated plants have the best chance of surviving winter.
Water shrubs deeply in fall, especially if moisture has been scarce during the growing season.
Credit: Cynthia Haynes
Spread a 4-inch layer ofmulch around your shrubsto create a blanket of protection.
Shredded bark, leaves, straw, or compost are allgood mulch choices.
Remove the mulch at the first signs of growth in spring.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Unfortunately, no shrubs are safe from animal damage during particularly harsh winters.
The best tactic is to fence especially vulnerable plants, such asarborvitaeandyews.
Use a barrier around valuable or sentimental landscape plants, too.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Fencing material varies depending on the critters you are trying to keep at bay.
Be sure your barrier extends at least 24 inches above the anticipated snow line.
If you want tokeep deer away, you’ll need a fence at least 8 feet tall.
Liquidrepellents can keep deer and other animals awaywhen applied frequently.
For best results with repellents, begin applying them early in the season and reapply after rain or snow.
Protect Shrubs from Winter Winds
Broadleaf evergreen shrubs, such asrhododendronsandboxwoodare especially susceptible to drying winter winds.
The water loss can be extreme enough to severely damage or kill a shrub.
Creating a temporary windbreak around vulnerable plants will help.
For larger shrubs, drive a few stakes into the ground around the plant in fall.
Wrap the stakes with burlap or canvas cloth.
Never use plastic; it can cause damaging temperature fluctuations.
For smaller shrubs, aplant coveris a simple solution.
