Recent cold snap-Will my Plants Survive?

Early warm weather in many parts of the country fooled not only us, but Mother Nature. Temperatures were 80 degrees one day, followed only a week later by nighttime temperatures in the 18-20"s. The following tips are provided by Beth Babbit, Urban Horticulture Specialist, Plant Sciences Department University of Tennessee Extension.

• Due to the freeze, flowers and tender buds may be lost on plants that flower on old growth like some hydrangeas and some climbing roses. Plants that bloom on new growth, such as crape myrtle and butterfly bush may still bloom-only later after they have recovered.
• Plants that appear to be only wilted and perk back up when the sun comes out (like some hosta, daylily, or rhododendron)should be fine. Later in the season they may exhibit puckered or stunted leaves or may have a sunburn look.
• Other plants like some Japanese maples, crape myrtle and bigleaf hydrangea are more sensitive to the cold night temperatures. If the leaves look water-soaked that tissue is dead and won't rehydrate. This doesn't necessarily mean the plant is dead.
• Take a wait and see attitude because some plants may recover in a few months.
• Ms. Babbit offers the advice to wait and water. Wait to dig or remove any plant. In a few months you will know if it survived the cold snap.
• Watering will allow wilted leaves to rehydrate. For trees, water deeply twice weekly and keep stressed plants mulched this summer to retain moisture around their roots.
• Do not prune since this can stimulate excessive growth. The plant is already stressed, so you need to give them time to recover. You may need to wait a year before severe pruning.
• Do not fertilize. Fertilizing now with nitrogen may cause the plant to leaf too quickly and not allow it enough time to recover. Do not fertilize trees and shrubs until next winter. If you fertilized earlier, when the weather was warm, make sure your plants receive adequate water to utilize the excess fertilizer.