Do Evergreen Bushes Need to Be Covered During a Freeze?

Evergreen Shrubs

• Unlike deciduous shrubs that shed their leaves every year, evergreen varieties retain their foliage throughout the cold winter season. Frost damage in evergreens is apparent sooner than frost damage in bare coniferous shrubs. Evergreen shrubs that experience excessively cold temperatures tend to turn brown in color. The foliage on these shrubs becomes slightly translucent, especially when they defrost rapidly.

Hardiness Rating

• Like other varieties of plants, bushes and trees, evergreen shrubs have a hardiness rating that allows you to select cultivars suitable for your climate. Check the hardiness rating on the plant label when you purchase new evergreen shrubs. Planting tender varieties that freeze easily may result in plant loss. Even the shrubs that are suitable for your climate zone may require covering during unseasonably cold temperatures.

Winter Preparation

• In addition to covering your evergreen shrubs during cold snaps, preparing them for winter can help them survive these cooler months. Prune off any dead growth and broken branches in the late fall to make covering them quicker and easier. Apply a thick layer of mulch over the soil surrounding your shrubs. This mulch covering helps hold in moisture and minimize the risk of soil freezing around the roots.

Covering Methods

• Protect very small evergreen shrubs by piling about 6 to 8 inches of straw or dry leaves over the crowns. Protect small to average-size tender evergreens with a light covering of pine or spruce boughs. Cover large expanses of exposed bark on large evergreen shrubs with tree wraps or tree fabric. This layer of protection over the bark can help prevent sunscald during the cold winter months. Prior to a cold snap, place a protective layer of burlap around and over your large shrubs, using posts driven around the perimeter of the shrubs to hold the fabric away from the foliage. Laying the cover directly over the shrub or wrapping it too tightly can create excessive weight, especially during a heavy snow or freezing rain. Remove the cover in the morning, allowing the shrubs to soak up any daytime sunlight and warmth.