Lasting Effects On Plants From Christmas Freeze Yet To Be Seen

Lasting effects from this year’s Christmas freeze could be showing up on your outdoor plants.

Overton UT Extension Agent Jason Garrett said the immediate effects are some of the worst he’s ever seen for landscape plants. He said if you are a homeowner and have plants you want to check are still alive, there are steps you can take to check.

“Basically around the base or the bottom, peel back some of the bark and see if it’s green and if it’s green that’s a great indicator it’s going to bloom back out,” Garrett said. “If it doesn’t and it’s just pure stem break off, that plant needs to be replaced.”

Garrett said if the plant is still viable, it will likely start to come back into bloom in late April or early May. Garrett said there is nothing to be done at this point to reverse the stress the freeze placed on the plants.

Garrett said warm-season plants such as hydrangeas are likely safe from the lasting effects.

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