Learn more about what to do with shrubs damaged in winter.
Winter is the last thing anyone wants to think about now, but for many of us, the condition of our gardens simply won’t let us forget. Extremely cold temperatures, coupled with strong winds and soil that was frozen solid for months, combined to cause some serious damage to shrubs that had sailed through previous winters. You’ve probably seen a lot of brown leaves and stems on broad-leaf evergreens like boxwood, holly, and rhododendron, but deciduous flowering shrubs like butterfly bush, caryopteris, and big-leaf hydrangea also suffered pretty badly in much of North America. Even hardy landscape roses, which usually come through winter unscathed, were knocked back severely in many people’s gardens.
Though a wait-and-see approach is our advice for spring, once you’re on the cusp of summer, the time for action has arrived. The bad news: if a plant or part of a plant isn’t showing any signs of life by early summer, it probably didn’t make it through the winter. The good news, though, is that you can now safely clean out any dead wood and get your garden back on the track to health and beauty. Here’s what to do:
For shrubs that suffered die back – that is, there’s growth coming in on some part of the plant, but not all of it - cut off the dead stems to just above some vigorous new growth. Don’t be afraid to remove small, spindly growth if there are bigger, healthier buds growing below. Removing this old dead wood will allow more sunshine to the rest of the plant and neatens the appearance considerably. If a branch died back completely, do your best to trace it back to the main part of the shrub and remove it with pruners. On some plants, especially boxwood, this may mean taking out quite a bit of the plant, but don’t worry: the plant is definitely better without it.
Once you’ve pruned the dead wood off the plant, take a good hard look at what’s left. Has it been damaged so badly that it is no longer contributing to your landscape? If so, you should consider replacing it. You can transplant it to a less conspicuous part of your yard while it recovers in hopes of using it again, but you deserve better than to spend the entire season looking at a less-than-beautiful shrub. If, on the other hand, the plant is still in pretty good shape, commit yourself to taking extra-good care of it this season. Give it a light application of granular fertilizer formulated for woody plants (I like rose fertilizer for flowering shrubs, holly fertilizer for foliage plants) and keep it well watered all summer to encourage a rapid recovery.
We don’t have a crystal ball to tell us what to expect in winter, but we can share three tips to give your shrubs the best chance for long-term survival. One, grow plants that are hardy in your zone. Your hardiness zone is based on the lowest minimum temperature recorded in your area, so if you live in zone 5, a plant sold as hardy to zone 5 should be able to survive. Know your zone and shop for plants with it in mind. If you really want to play it safe, choose plants that are a zone hardier (i.e., a lower number) than your zone. Two, be very careful with fertilizer. Applying fertilizer to woody plants after mid-late July in cold climates pushes soft new growth that is readily damaged by the cold temperatures coming in autumn. Some plants, like butterfly bush and azalea, are especially sensitive to late season nutrient boosts, so it’s a good rule to avoid fertilizing trees, shrubs, and perennials after mid-summer. Finally, keep your plants happy. Site them appropriately with regard to their preferences for sun, well-drained soil, and space. Plants with well-established, healthy root systems are much better able to withstand weather-related stress than those that are struggling in less-than-ideal conditions.
Take a look at our Gardening Simplified reference guide to pick the best shrubs for your landscape!
FAQs
Here's what to do: For shrubs that suffered die back – that is, there's growth coming in on some part of the plant, but not all of it - cut off the dead stems to just above some vigorous new growth. Don't be afraid to remove small, spindly growth if there are bigger, healthier buds growing below.
How to prune dead wood? ›
Be sure to cut back 6 inches or so into live wood. Remove an entirely dead branch to the base of the shrub or trunk of the tree. Sometimes it's a good idea to first check halfway down the branch that appears dead to be sure that the wood inside isn't actually green.
Should you prune a stressed plant? ›
Pruning them shortly after they flower gives them time to regenerate. “(But) If your plant is already stressed and it has to be pruned, it may be best to sacrifice some of the coming year's flower buds and prune during winter, since pruning during dormancy has the least impact on plant health,” Pankau said.
Should you trim dead branches from bushes? ›
Removing dead or dying branches will not only help to prevent the spread of disease to other parts of the plant, but it will also help the tree or shrub to focus on producing new, healthy growth. Older wood that no longer flowers can also be removed.
Can a dead bush be revived? ›
Thankfully, the answer is often yes. Whether they were damaged in a drought or a hard overnight freeze, most regional trees, shrubs and flowers can be nursed back to vitality – if you know how. When considering how to bring your shrubs back to life, it is important to determine the cause of the blight.
What should I do with dead wood? ›
- Use the trunk as a decorative support. ...
- Artistically cut and stack the wood. ...
- Transform a dead tree into art. ...
- Use branches to give your garden personality. ...
- Think BIG with branches. ...
- Transform the Trunk.
One way is to use a chainsaw to cut away the deadwood. Another way is to use a tool called a “lopper” to cut away the deadwood. Deadwood removal is important because it helps keep the tree healthy. Deadwood can harbour diseases and pests, which can harm the tree.
How do I destress my plants? ›
A sick or stressed plant needs a break from dealing with fertilizer, even if it's just for a couple of weeks. Let it rest, chill, and deal only with completely innocuous clear water. Nitrogen is good for plants, but if a plant's system is not working well, it is stressful for the plant to deal with it.
When not to prune? ›
Plants are more brittle in cold temperatures. Messing around with them may cause branches to snap and split unintentionally. It's minor, but it could impact the look of a plant or create a haven for insects and diseases later. Don't prune when the temperature falls below 25°F.
Is it OK to prune dead branches in summer? ›
Trees that Benefit from Summer Pruning
Some people prefer a summertime prune for these trees because they typically ooze sap when pruned in winter and early spring. Trees with dead branches: If you spot dead, broken, or dying limbs, you can remove those at any time.
Cut all dead branch tissue from the tree, but do not injure the collar. If the branch is small or severely decayed, you might be able to simply break the dead branch from the tree. This often allows you to remove more of the dead tissue inside the edge of the collar.
What month is best to trim bushes? ›
The best time to trim non-flowering deciduous bushes is in late winter or early spring. Avoid trimming deciduous bushes in late summer or fall. You could encourage new growth that can't handle the upcoming frost. If it dies or is damaged, you'll have to cut these new branches off.
How do you tell if a bush is completely dead? ›
Take a pair or pruners or a knife and scrape a stem. Check the spot to see if it has green or tan underneath. Green means your plant is still alive (left). Light tan means the branch is dead (right).
How to fix a dying bush? ›
Water your shrub thoroughly to help with the growth process, and then prune out any lingering dead stems that didn't sprout new leaves. Saturated soil surrounding your brown shrubs is a sign of overwatering. Let up on the hydration until the soil dries out.
What is the lifespan of a bush? ›
What is the Average Lifespan of Shrubs? Some people believe their plants and shrubs will live forever, but this is rarely the case. Shrubs usually live around 10 to 15 years before you need to consider new plants.
Should dead wood be removed? ›
Removing deadwood in a timely and proper way is simply good for your tree. Its presence doesn't mean the tree itself is dying, but leaving it there can limit a tree's growth potential and health either through: The spreading of fungus. Enabling a tree to use its energy to thrive rather than shed its own deadwood.
When should I prune dead branches? ›
There is never a bad time to remove dead, damaged or diseased branches. But most trees benefit from pruning in mid to late winter. Pruning during dormancy encourages new growth as soon as the weather begins to warm. The lack of leaves after autumn allows you to easily identify branches and limbs requiring removal.
Should you cut off dead parts of a tree? ›
Eliminating dead branches gives the tree a new chance to rejuvenate itself, directs the nutrients to healthy branches and makes it less vulnerable to pests and diseases.
Winter is the last thing anyone wants to think about now, but for many of us, the condition of our gardens simply won’t let us forget. Extremely cold temperatures, coupled with strong winds and soil that was frozen solid for months, combined to cause some serious damage to shrubs that had sailed through previous winters. You’ve probably seen a lot of brown leaves and stems on broad-leaf evergreens like boxwood, holly, and rhododendron, but deciduous flowering shrubs like butterfly bush, caryopteris, and big-leaf hydrangea also suffered pretty badly in much of North America. Even hardy landscape roses, which usually come through winter unscathed, were knocked back severely in many people’s gardens.
For shrubs that suffered die back – that is, there’s growth coming in on some part of the plant, but not all of it - cut off the dead stems to just above some vigorous new growth. Don’t be afraid to remove small, spindly growth if there are bigger, healthier buds growing below. Removing this old dead wood will allow more sunshine to the rest of the plant and neatens the appearance considerably. If a branch died back completely, do your best to trace it back to the main part of the shrub and remove it with pruners. On some plants, especially boxwood, this may mean taking out quite a bit of the plant, but don’t worry: the plant is definitely better without it.
We don’t have a crystal ball to tell us what to expect in winter, but we can share three tips to give your shrubs the best chance for long-term survival. One, grow plants that are hardy in your zone. Your hardiness zone is based on the lowest minimum temperature recorded in your area, so if you live in zone 5, a plant sold as hardy to zone 5 should be able to survive. Know your zone and shop for plants with it in mind. If you really want to play it safe, choose plants that are a zone hardier (i.e., a lower number) than your zone. Two, be very careful with fertilizer. Applying fertilizer to woody plants after mid-late July in cold climates pushes soft new growth that is readily damaged by the cold temperatures coming in autumn. Some plants, like butterfly bush and azalea, are especially sensitive to late season nutrient boosts, so it’s a good rule to avoid fertilizing trees, shrubs, and perennials after mid-summer. Finally, keep your plants happy. Site them appropriately with regard to their preferences for sun, well-drained soil, and space. Plants with well-established, healthy root systems are much better able to withstand weather-related stress than those that are struggling in less-than-ideal conditions.