Page 5 - HGD9 St Bernard

Ask Beryl

COMMON SENSE GARDENING:

How to save those
freeze-damaged plants

fter the devastating freeze, the most
frequent question is: “What in my garden
will rebound?”
Anything displaying damage needs
Ato be cut back or removed. Popular
perennial plants in our area include agapanthus, day lilies,
angelonia, pentas, dianellas and ornamental grasses.
If you are ready to pull your pansies, petunias, violas,
GREEN snap dragons in your garden that looked pretty bad
GARDEN after the freeze, don’t. If you leave them alone for fi ve
to six days, they tend to rally back. Just remember that
PARTY when a plant is brown from damage, it will not turn Our team of designers will
green again. It has to be pruned so it can regrow or
replace dead foliage. create an exciting look for a new
A lot of plants have winter coats (brownish and landscape or restore and upgrade
reddish fall colors), but if the leaves are shriveled and
brown, they need to be pruned, such as hollies, azaleas an existing one. We can include
and roses. a deck or build a gazebo. Your
Tropicals, such as hibiscus and crotons, may or may
not return. Try cutting them back hard and be patient. needs may include a foundation or
After cleaning out the beds and pruning damaged to install a pond. Patios enhance
plants, you should put a fresh layer of quality soil, lightly
fertilize and top with fresh mulch. GARDENS SHOULD any outdoor setting or you may
STILL BE WATERED. want to rejuvenate an entrance
Nature gives us opportunity to grow. Take
advantage of it. or walkway with concrete, stone
For a free copy of our pamphlet “Guidelines to or the simplicity of a gavel path
Planning your Landscape,” or if you have gardening
questions, email Beryl and her team at rengardens@ outlined in stone or brick. We
cox.net. have a wide range of talent and

craftsmen available to complete
Beryl Deluzain, your landscape needs, or let us
owner of Renaissance
Gardens, 9123 W. help you do it yourself.
Judge Perez Drive,
Chalmette, is a
horticulturist, landscape
designer and licensed
contractor.