During cold and frosty weather, the water in plant cells freeze which damage the cell wall. You can spot damaged plants as they become droopy, blackened and disfigured. Plants which freeze overnight and then are subject to the rising sun in the morning are worst at risk, as the sun causes them to defrost rapidly which ruptures their cell walls.
Even more durable plants and evergreens can become damaged when the soil becomes frozen the roots are unable to take up water and plants can die from lack of moisture.
How to minimise damage:
· Select plants that are durable for the area you live in.
· Plant tender species in sheltered spots, under trees and shrubs, or against a wall. This will also provide some level of heat protection during the winter.
· Don’t plant flowers with tender buds or shoots on east-facing sites.
· Don’t cut back tender plants too hard during autumn, as new growth could be damaged by frost.
· Avoid planting tender plants in frosty areas, which will typically be at the lowest point in a garden.
· Gently brush off snowfall from plants and leaves throughout your garden.
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