Freeze damage showing up in the landscape

Posted: May 2, 2012 at 5:11 PM [May 2, 2012]

The cold nights that followed an exceptionally warm March have resulted in damage to a host of ornamental landscape plants. So far the number one casualty seems to be Acer palmatum, the Japanese maple. The pattern of damage is the same you would see if you put a head of lettuce into the freezer -- soggy and wilted leaves. The leaves will soon drop from affected maples, if they haven't done so already. Also hit by the frost were magnolias and tulip-trees, but the damage is apparently not as widespread. Some perennials that show signs of frost damage include toad-lilies, Kirengeshoma, and many Asian woodland species. This writer's opinion is that no plant mortality will ensue, although the woody plants may take some years to fully recover. Submitted by Guerin Wilkinson, owner of GreenStreet Tree Care and writer of www.annarborgardener.com .