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Winterizing Evergreens
Evergreens add great winter interest to our landscapes. However, some evergreens experience browning due to the drying winds and winter sun. Some homeowners wrap their arborvitea and spruces with burlap for protection from the elements.
Burlap may not be the best thing for your evergreens. The burlap may actually act as a wick and absorb moisture from the needles of the plant your are trying to protect!
Here are 3 other options:
1. Create a burlap screen to block northern winds on two sides of the plant.
2. Use ShrubGuard instead of burlap. Made of a non-woven poly fabric, these plant bags are simple to use - just tie them on. They are available in 3sizes, and they sure look nicer than burlap. They can also be used in place of rose cones. This weekend they are one of our Halloween specials - 20% off (BGC t-shirt customers can use their discount, too!)
3. Apply an anti-dessicant that coats the needles and leaves of broadleaf evergreens (rhododendrons and hollies). This will leave a waxy coating that does not harm the plant, but actually
seals in the moisture. Apply in mid-November and again in January on a day when temps are atleast 40 degrees.
We recommend WiltPruf - available in a ready-to-use and a concentrate. WiltPruf can be sprayed on fresh evergreen wreaths, garlands, and trees to make them last longer during the holiday season.
4. There is a fourth option: do nothing and grump about the browning next spring :)
bgc
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