After the Houston freeze, landscaping on commercial properties may look worse before getting better. Damages to landscaping can vary from minor wilting and leaf burn in the case of tropical plants, to complete death for plants that are not cold hardy. What should you expect from your landscaping after freeze damage?
Depending on the plant types in your landscaping, you could experience any combination of immediate and long-term effects. Immediately following a freeze event, some tropical plants may lose their leaves while others will appear wilted or bleached. This is normal and sometimes recoverable if watering schedules are adjusted accordingly. Evergreen trees may have browning foliage or drop leaves, but this too can be remedied with appropriate care such as trimming away dead branches and providing adequate watering and nutrients.
For non-tropical landscaping, such as grasses, shrubs, and trees native to Houston, you may notice some desiccation or wilting of foliage from leaf burn from the prolonged cold temperatures. Again, with appropriate maintenance such as fertilization, pruning, and additional watering during drier periods, this damage can recover within weeks or months.
For commercial properties in Houston that have sustained landscaping freeze damage, it is important to contact your landscaping professional for an assessment of the scope and extent of damage. Depending on the types of plants affected and the severity of damage, a landscaper can recommend an action plan for recovery, replanting, and strategies to prevent further harm in the future. Pruning can be beneficial for trees and shrubs, as this will encourage new growth while helping to promote healthy root systems. Additionally, fertilizing landscaping with slow-release fertilizer can help replenish nutrients that were used during the cold weather. Leaving your turf taller, can provide a “blanket” for the root system and aid with quicker recovery. With careful attention and maintenance after a freeze, landscaping plants can return back to their former glory but if not, your landscape professional can make replacement recommendations!
As the weather begins to warm up and spring approaches, landscaping damaged by the Houston freeze will begin to recover. With proper attention, plants can start to look healthier again in a shorter period of time. In particular, trees may take longer than other types of landscaping due to their size and complexity but with careful monitoring and pruning they can eventually return back to full health. Flowering shrubs that were affected by the cold temperatures may also take some time before blooming again but with regular maintenance they too should be able to recover soon enough. LMC is available for consultations throughout this process so that your commercial property looks its best once springtime arrives!
It is important to wait until the risk of freeze has passed before pruning any landscaping affected by the Houston freeze. Pruning too soon can put additional stress on plants that are already weakened from the cold, making it more difficult for them to recover. Furthermore, trimming off dead or damaged branches and leaves can reduce a plant’s ability to absorb energy from sunlight during its recovery process. Therefore, waiting until temperatures have stabilized will give your landscaping a better chance at recovery with minimal damage.
With proper maintenance, it is possible for your landscaping to recover from freeze damage in an appropriate timeframe. The key to recovering a landscape is to be proactive and contact a landscaping professional at LMC who can provide advice on how to best address the issue. With the right guidance and care, your commercial property can look its best again soon!
