Cold can harm plants. Covering bushes is often part of a larger overwintering strategy To protect them. Fragile bushes should be covered but some should also hard bushes Benefit from coverage.
Find out if you need to cover bushes in the winter, which bushes to cover, and how to do it.
meet the expert
david angelov is a master gardener and CEO and founder of the gardening education platform Plant Parenthood.
bushes should not be covered
Most bushes should not be covered. Do not cover the bush unless it is absolutely necessary to cover it.
For example, you can cover container bushes during overwintering. But the best option is to move the containers to a safe area.
Why cover bushes?
Cover some types of shrubs to protect them from winter damage. Covering bushes can conserve moisture and protect them from wind and frost damage.
- retains moisture: Extreme, freezing cold can cut off access to some plants’ roots. The upper part of the plants dries up. Water is lost because it cannot be replenished from the roots.
- reduces wind: Wind becomes strong in winter and can damage bushes.
- Reduces physical damage: Wrapping bushes protects them from physical damage caused by snow or debris. Shrub covers protect plants from harsh chemicals melting ice Or road salt.
- moderately hardy bushes expansion: The bushes are barely in your area USDA Plant Hardiness Zones Must be covered.
- Reduces animal damage: Covered shrubs are less likely to be damaged by deer browsing or by voles or rats.
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Types of Coverable Bushes
Cover young or delicate shrubs or hardy shrubs that are susceptible to cold weather damage and require extra care. boxwood shrubsarborvitae, and Rhododendron They have a better chance of surviving the winter if they are covered.
“A good example is crepe myrtle, which can survive the winter but is helped by wrapping it with one or two layers of burlap,” says master gardener David Angelov.
young or delicate plants
Young evergreen plants with delicate branches benefit from covering.
Angelov says wrapping and covering are valuable for protecting delicate branches.
container plant
Winterize Container Plants Ideally by moving them indoors, but they can also be covered.
The containers have no insulation, so they expose the roots to harsh outdoor temperatures. Therefore, when you cover container bushes, you need to cover not only the bush but also the container.
zone-marginal shrubs
Wrapping shrubs can also help expand your marginal species USDA Plant Hardiness ZonesAngelov says.
Covering bushes allows you to grow plants that are not everlasting In your USDA zone.
When to cover bushes
Cover the bushes after the first hard frost date in your area, usually in late autumn. The leaves fall off while waiting for the first hard frost.
The frost date occurs when the air temperature reaches 32°F or less. To find frost dates, consult USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map,
remove the cover after last frost date In autumn.
How to cover bushes
Cover the bushes with a bush cover or burlap. In a pinch, you can also temporarily cover the bushes with towels or cardboard boxes.
bush cover
Thick, breathable bush wraps completely surround the plant and bind tightly to the bottom. Shrub covers are supported either by the plant itself or by a tent-like frame that keeps them off the bush.
Bush covers are reusable and provide the best protection for plants during winter. However, they can be expensive, especially if you have a lot of bushes.
A 54-inch tented bush cover ranges from $50 to $60, and a wraparound-style bush cover of the same size costs about $20 to $25.
burlap
Burlap fabric in rolls can be cut to any bush size. Narrow strips can be cut and wrapped around the stems. Large pieces of burlap can be wrapped around bushes of any size.
Some shrubs can support the burlap directly. For more delicate shrubs, drive long stakes into the ground to create a frame to support the burlap.
At the end of each winter, remove and roll the burlap into good condition. Some burlap will become unusable. All burlap will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.
Burlap is the most economical bush cover when you have a lot of bushes – a roll of burlap costs $2 to $5 per square foot.
