Many of our valuable landscape plantings have recently had major freeze damage. Our record warm temperatures this winter pushed the new growth of our trees and shrubs out early this year. We then had 2 extremely hard freezes back to back (more frost predicted ahead!), and this tender new growth has been affected. Here are some of the main trees and shrubs we are seeing with the freeze damage:

• Boxwoods
• Hollies
• Nandinas
• Spireas
• Hostas
• Daylilies
• Japanese Maples
• Smoke trees
• Catalpas
• Giinkos
• Ornamental grasses
• Crepe Myrtles
• Butterfly bushes
• Taxus yews

The damage that presents varies with the plant affected but you will see the tips of the leaves turning brown or black with severe curling of the leaves. Some leaves, like on the Japanese Maples, look completely shriveled up.

So, what can be done? Nothing yet. Though you may be tempted to prune the damaged areas, do not do this too quickly. Give the plant several months to recover. Only time will tell if the damage is reversible.