Winter Wisdom

Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State University Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.   Each week we feature interesting topics for winter reading.

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Week of 1/8/01

This winter sure is different than we've experienced in recent years!  Many people are asking if their perennials will survive the recent extreme cold.

As many weather experts have pointed out, the kind of weather we have encountered over the past few weeks is really more normal for this time of the year than the warmer, dry weather we have had that was influenced by the phenomena known as el Nino and la Nina.

If your perennials have survived for several seasons, you should not experience any drastic losses.  This assumes that you selected plants appropriate to Zone 4 and Zone 5 and planted them with adequate attention to mulching and root protection.  Most will benefit from the moisture provided by melting snow, and the low temperatures may reduce the number of harmful insects surviving the winter.  The moisture is particularly welcome to evergreens.

You may notice more die back than we have seen the past 3 or 4 years in rose canes, and in ornamentals such as Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia), which are more marginal here.  They have enjoyed the recent mild winters, and may have a hard time adjusting.

Remember that snow benefits plants in two ways: it provides needed moisture as it melts, and it insulates plants from severe cold.

Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.

Previous Weeks' Winter Wisdom

* Winter Wisdom is an information service of the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners.  Research-based responses are provided by Extension Master Gardener volunteers weekdays from March 1 through October 31, from 9:00 am to 4:30pm .  To telephone, call (913) 764-6306 or visit the Extension Office at 13480 South Arapaho Drive, Olathe, Kansas.  Visit their website at www.oznet.ksu.edu/Johnson 

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