Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
The snow is covering most of our plants-particularly the short hellebore and azaleas. Will this cause any harm? Kent H. – Gales Ferry
Answer
Actually, for the most part, snow is good for your
garden plants, but there are still a few things you should do. Most
evergreens and shrubs have adapted to normal snow loads, but
after very wet or heavy storms, they can use your help. Brush
snow from evergreens and shrubs as soon as you can. Use a
broom in an upward, sweeping motion. Serious damage can be
caused by heavy snow or ice accumulating on the branches. Be
careful of where you direct the snow from your snow blower. Also
remember that heavy snow accumulations can put significant
loads on roofs of buildings and garages.
You should avoid sodium chloride (rock salt) to de-ice your
walkways and driveway. While any de-icing agent isn't good for
your lawns, plants or shrubs, sodium chloride is the worst. Consider using coarse sand or non-sodium de-icing
agents such as calcium chloride, potassium chloride or magnesium chloride. Use as little de-icing agent as you
can to get the job done. As we get closer to spring and plants start to come out of dormancy, try to avoid or
significantly minimize the amount of de-icing agent that you use. This is the time that the most plant damage can
occur.
Even though they look dead in the winter, most perennials are not; they are just dormant. A blanket of snow
actually helps perennials including your hellebore survive the winter. Even though the wind above a snow layer
may be howling at temperatures well below freezing, the temperature at the soil surface can be at or just above
freezing. At those temperatures, soil microbial activity can go on which helps the plants start growing when the
temperature goes back up. Snow also provides protection for small mammals and birds that can tunnel into the
snow for protection. If there is no snow cover, avoid heavy traffic on your dormant lawn. The dry grass can be
easily broken and the crown of the grass plant may be damaged or killed.
If you need professional help this winter, Sprigs & Twigs has a bucket truck and crews that can get snow off your
roof and take care of storm damage to your trees.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
