Should Your Landscaping Be Replaced? A Closer Look at the Effects of the Winter Freeze
Last month Texas experienced snow, ice, and record-low temperatures, leaving millions of Texans without power and running water. As the snow melted and frigid temperatures subsided, you probably noticed some of the effects the winter storm had on your landscaping too.
Initially, it was difficult to determine the severity of damage to irrigation systems, turf, and plants. Over the past several weeks, our team has inspected customer properties to analyze the full scope of damage. Here is what we found:
Irrigation Systems: Most irrigation systems, thankfully had little to no damage underground or aboveground. We found a few cases where the backflow device, which prevents water from entering the public water supply, sustained cracks. This is a critical piece of the system and should be replaced quickly.
Turf: With snow on the ground last month, it was challenging to see how the weather affected synthetic grass. Even with the unusual weather, turf held up and showed no signs of damage or cause for concern.
Plants: It is easy to look at wilting or brown plants and start pulling them up but hold tight; there is hope for your plants. A general rule is to prune perennials but not annuals. By pruning or cutting back certain plants, you control their growth and development. In this case, cutting back perennials after the winter storm rejuvenates plants so they can thrive in the spring.
Some plants are showing signs of life with a small amount of green growth. It is still too soon to know if they will fully recover or need to be replaced. We recommend waiting 6-8 weeks, and by mid-May, we will know for sure what has made acceptable improvements. Here is what we know right now:
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Shrubs |
Holly and Ligustrum varieties |
Did not sustain much damage and should fully recover. |
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Wax leaf |
Have shown improvement, but we need more time to assess how well they will bounce back. |
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Kaleidoscope Abelias |
Suffered damage, but it is too soon to tell if they will survive. |
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Indian Hawthorn and Loropetalum |
May have a burned or brown appearance and incurred the most damage and will most likely need to be replaced. |
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Ground Cover |
Asian Jasmine and Liriope |
Will recover in time. We cut these plants back to allow new growth. |
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Trees |
Palm trees |
These can be very costly to replace but be patient. They are slow-growing plants need a lot of time to recover and show improvement. We suggest leaving them alone. |
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Elm and Oak |
Are just now exhibiting greenery and should continue to thrive over the next several weeks. |
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Crepe Myrtle |
Suffered the most damage and will be slow to show sprouts. |
We are encouraged to see signs of life in so many plants and eagerly wait to see new sprouts this spring. Many beautiful landscapes have been affected by the winter storm, but our knowledgeable team is here to help. We can assess your property and determine which plants will survive and what you should plan to replace.
Contact us today to learn more about our landscaping services and how we can restore life and color to your property.
Value • Integrity • Service • Quality
EarthWorks has the manpower to perform installations usually within a timely manner, even during the peak season. And with our staff resources we can prepare multiple sites for owner inspection or investor tours within a single day, even on short notice.
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