Multiple layers of cover provide more protection than a single layer. To maximize protection from covers, make sure the cover extends all the way to the ground and is sealed. When temperatures reach the single digits and stay below freezing for extended periods, even protected plants may be killed. Damage always occurs to tender plants that are covered when temperatures reach the low 20s or teens, but they often survive and recover. Make a point of bringing outside container tropicals indoors in the future if you want to prevent damage.įor tropical plants growing in the ground, don’t be overly distressed if those you carefully covered and protected still show freeze damage despite your efforts. If you took a chance and left container tropicals outside and they have sustained cold damage, learn from this. Ideally, they should be moved indoors or into a garage where they will not be exposed to freezing temperatures. Tender plants in containers outside are especially vulnerable to the cold. I’ve gotten lots of questions on this topic in the past few weeks. At this point, it’s time to assess the effects of the freezes and deal with the damage that has occurred. In south Louisiana, the damage done to any landscapes extensively planted with tropical has been devastating. Tropical plants, such as palms and gingers, are present in north Louisiana landscapes but are more commonly used in the southern part of the state. While reliably hardy plants in our landscapes came through this weather without significant damage, tender tropical plants around the state were extensively affected. Temperatures ranged from around 20 in the southernmost parts of the state to teens in the central portions and single digits in north Louisiana. (02/02/18) Last month, Louisiana experienced the coldest winter temperatures we have seen in many years.

Pruning red button ginger