Extreme Weather Dominates 2011 Growing Conditions
2011 started off extremely cold and dry. Culminating with a record low of -17 degrees. Those of us in the landscape business knew temperatures in these ranges, with little moisture available, could cause damage to many marginal plantings. Particularly those that have suffered any type of prior stress or perhaps were already marginal for our climate. Many plantings can survive for several years even if they are not generally well adapted to our climate - if the conditions are not too extreme.
Those of us that have been around both the landscape industry, as well as Kansas, know that extremes are a pretty normal occurrence to our lawns and landscapes. If there is any good that comes from a year like we are experiencing, it is to remind all of us that proper plant selection and care is essential to long term success. Not that we can’t still take a few risks with a few marginal plantings, but these should be considered as highlights to the landscape and probably not as the base plantings we all enjoy for complementing our properties and shading our environment. While some notable varieties struggled this Spring from our extreme cold, we could only hope for a mild Summer with adequate moisture. While everyone was anxiously waiting for warmer temperatures after months of winter, none of us were prepared for the severe drought and record heat that was awaiting us.
The 2011 weather has become the biggest topic discussed at the Lawn & Landscape seminars we have attended as well as in the publications those in our industry count on. The general consensus is that the plantings that have been under stress prior to the 2011 season and those that have not been healthy and well maintained or that are just not well adapted to a proper climate, may decline further and need to be considered for replacement. Again, some plantings such as Spirea that have been healthy and in a landscape for years, are even seeing scorched leaves this season. This is not generally from lack of moisture, but rather from the actual heat. Many plantings such as Spirea may indeed survive the conditions if properly cared for now. Many plantings will need the "wait and see" approach to determine what route to take.
In the meantime, you can help aid these plantings with proper care such as, making sure plantings are properly watered - “not overwatered”. Many times we confuse proper watering with too much water, which is just as bad. Plants need oxygen to survive and flooded roots can't properly breathe! Proper fertilization, in the right amount and type this fall, is essential to help with root growth. Think of it as vitamins for the plant. Proper mulch and keeping plantings free from harmful insects are essential as well. Following this basic advice and with Fall and hopefully cooler temperatures, as well as moisture, things could really be looking up! To find out more, visit our site!
The following are some varieties of plants that have shown some damage from both the extreme cold and heat:
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Blue Atlas Cedar
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Birch
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Blue Spruce
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Maple
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Red Maple
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Cedar
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Crapemyrtle
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Hosta
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Coral Bells
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Daylily
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Barberry
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Boxwood
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Dwarf Alberta Spruce
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Arbovita
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Dogwood
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Yews
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Many additional perennial plantings as well as additional varieties of trees and shrubs are experiencing stress as well as annuals, lawns and gardens.
Contact the experts at Tendercare, for more information!
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