The Importance of Wintertime Plant Hydration
Winter can be hard on your garden. A beautiful garden is an investment that brings you joy and an incredible show of foliage with its yearlong beauty. Many of us plant largely for the spring and summer to foster color and interest through the seasons. Each year we watch most of those beloved plants lose their leaves and flowers in preparation for the coming cold.
Some gardeners may also opt for the hundreds of evergreen varieties that stay green and vibrant through every season. There are several varieties in your gardens that may require some assistance to ensure they are well-protected and set up for a vibrant spring. Evergreens, especially evergreens with broad leaves such as rhododendrons, azaleas, boxwoods, holly, pieris, and thujas (arbor vitae) can lose too much moisture through their large leaves during the winter. Plants need moisture through this season but rely mostly on moisture that is stored in leaves and needles at the end of the growing season. Oscillating temperatures and dry, warm winter conditions can cause the plants to brown and wither. This is called evapotranspiration. Evapotranspiration can be a good thing - helping plants shed excess moisture from otherwise soggy roots in the wintertime, but often, broadleaf evergreens will desiccate or become exceedingly dry.
One way to avoid desiccation is to ensure that these plants are watered very well at the end of autumn (this is why Atzinger Gardens does not shut down irrigation systems until November). The rest of this article will focus on two other methods of preventing desiccation: sprays and wind barriers.
This landscape includes some beautiful conifers who may need to be protected in the winter
What are anti-desiccant sprays?
In order to truly understand the purpose and benefits of anti-transpirants (or anti-desiccants) we must first understand the definitions and science behind them! Desiccation happens when evergreens and other vulnerable perennials experience excess evapotranspiration through their leaves during the colder winter months. To prevent this, we apply certain formulations that form a barrier on sensitive foliage. These chemicals are our anti-transpirants. Usually emulsions of clay, latex, wax, or acrylic, there are four main classifications of anti-transpirants:
1. Stomal closing: This increases the covering and clogging of stomata (tiny spores on leaf surfaces) to reduce photosynthesis.
2. Film forming: A physical barrier made from a plastic or waxy substance.
3. Reflecting: Primarily composed of clay, this method ensures that the applied areas experience reduced heat and subsequent water loss.
4. Delaying growth: This type of anti-transpirant applies a physiological method that reduces new growth, which causes the plant to reallocate energy to the root systems.
Anti-desiccants are great resources for winter protection, both for their health benefits and their appearance. A few of these products have an added benefit of giving the plants they are applied to a gorgeous glossy shine.
Therese applies anti-dessicant spray to preserve this plant through the winter
What do we use anti-desiccants on?
These are applied to evergreens including American holly, boxwoods, aucuba, arborvitae, spruce, yews, white pines, and many others. We are able to use anti-desiccants on a wide variety of different plant species thanks to the diversity of formulations available. If you choose to apply these yourself, make sure to pay attention to all labels and warnings, as some forms of anti-transpirants can make scale-leaf evergreens more susceptible to other winter injuries. Scale-leaf evergreens include an array of pines and conifers. Below you will see that, with the right formulation, your trees can stay vibrant through the harshest winters.
Even cut branches like those in our winter arrangements can benefit from the protection of anti-dessicants, keeping them from drying out
Are anti-desiccants always enough?
Some winters can be particularly unforgiving and more methods may be required to maintain the best preservation of your garden. For the best possible winter protection of your garden, we may suggest employing several methods. Burlap is widely used and will help your plants in vulnerable locations resist freezing winds and heavy snow. Burlap is used mainly on non-evergreen perennials and trees to protect plants from frigid winds and ice storms. We have experienced very harsh storms in recent years and many of the trees and shrubs we enjoy the most have fallen victim to the weight of ice and snow.
Some bushes with burlap applied, to protect them from harsh winter winds and from deer
The world of anti-desiccants is a fascinating one and new methods for better protecting your gardens continue to grow. As the methods progress, be sure to follow along for more on these helpful options for garden longevity.
Need an expert opinion or would like to learn more about the incredible uses of anti-desiccants? Give us a call or shoot us an email. We are always willing to discuss your options and assess your needs for the best results!
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