Freeze Damage

Do some of your plants look like this?  

 
Temperatures in the low country registered in the teens on the morning January 10th.  Several of the landscape plants we use are only cold hardy into the upper 20's.  Now we must figure out what to do with the mess that was left behind.  

Most of the plants' roots were insulated somewhat from the freeze because there was sufficient moisture available to them.  The worst damage from freezing temperatures occurs because the plant tissue desiccates from lack of moisture.  However, there are several tropical that probably did not survive the frigid temperatures.  In general, it is best to allow the damaged leaves on the plants.  That tissue will insulate the plant from further freezes in the future.  However, the dead leaves on the plants can be quite unsightly.  

Semi-tropical plants, such as Philodendrons, Shell Ginger, Fig Ivy, and Viburnums will make a good comeback.  More tropical plants such as Bird of Paradise, Stromanthe, Cassia, and Hibiscus may not recover.  These plants will need to have foliage removed fairly quickly to prevent the damage from penetrating into the roots.  

The semi-tropicals that were mentioned earlier can be left alone until the threat of another heavy freeze has passed.  However, if the frozen plants prove to be too unsightly, selective pruning can occur.  With Philodendrons, you should not cut the main stalk.  Only cut the leaves back to where they are attached to the stalk.  Shell Ginger should be selectively cut back to insure rapid recovery.  When pruning back Fig Ivy, try to get all the damage cut out.  The base of the plant should be okay, but removing the dead vines that are attached to a wall will provide a challenge.  Depending on the exposure, Viburnums may or may not have been affected.  Again, if the freeze damaged foliage can be left on the plants, it will aid against another freeze.  

Winter annuals such as Snapdragons, Calendulas, and Petunias should have the dead foliage removed to allow the plant to regrow quickly.  If you had tropical in urns or pots, those plants most likely will not recover.  Since their roots were above the ground and more exposed to the cold, it is less likely they survived.