The Cold
The winter of 2006-2007 has been a challenge and we have had several problems. Our first cold snap was a quick freeze down to about 22 degrees Fahrenheit here at Tenas Chuck. There were no previous light freezes. This order of events created the worst possible scenario for marginal plants. Here is a list of plants, their responses and what those responses indicate
Citrus: Fruit turns brown and falls off; leaves will drop later. Plants will be OK..
Fuchsias: Will freeze to ground. Cut back in mid March.
Lavender & Salvias: Wait for new growth to prune back. Evergreen forms of salvias will drop all leaves but may re- grow. Tender salvias may die to ground; some will re-grow. Spanish Lavender may be dead.
Giant Reed Grass (Arundo donax): Wait to cut back for new growth to start in April.
Pampas Grass: If burnt, cut to a large hedgehog shape, leaving a one foot or so tall bun.
Daphne: Will drop more leaves than normal.
Phormium: more leaves will turn brown and must be cut off at base. Do not cut brown tips off. You can never make the leaves look natural.
Tagetes lemonii, Leptospermum (Australian Tea), gardenias and other tender shrubs can be badly damaged. Wait for new growth to start before any pruning. Remember, that with a few light freezes before a hard freeze, most of the plants listed will come through the winter in much better shape. For those shrubs that have dropped more leaves than normal be sure to remove all the extra litter.
The Wind
It was a pretty rough storm that kept some of us up all night. For the plants too, it was a rough night. A few top-heavy pots went into the lake. The only way to prevent this is, if you have advance warning, water your plants to make the pots heavier. I have used bungee cords to strap the pot to the deck. This does work for smaller pots.
Note: Most plants can be under water for several days. So, if you can retrieve them after they have jumped, it is worth it!
| Editor’s note: Winter may be a slow time for most houseboat gardeners; but not for Bob Lilly. At the 2007 Northwest Flower and Garden Show in mid February, he was involved with the Washington Arboretum display, “Front Porch Friendly”. An inviting front entry garden was filled with perennials and small shrubs found, purchased, cared for and forced by Bob Lilly. It is a tribute to Bob, who has been the Arboretum ‘plant guy’ for over eight years, that their display this year won the ‘Sunset Magazine Award’. Congratulations, Bob. |