A series of unexpected hard freezes wreaked havoc on our landscaping last winter leaving us with dead foliage, plants, shrubs, and trees in the Houston, Texas area. The good news is that with careful assessment and strategic replacement you can restore your landscape to its former glory—and even make it more resilient for future challenges.
Call (713) 369-4381 to contact Sage Pools, Scapes & Design and request a free quote for landscaping replacement and re-design. We serve the greater Houston, Katy, Fulshear, and Richmond area in addition to The Woodlands, Conroe, and Spring. Let’s take a deep dive into the benefits of professional landscape design and replacement.
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- Non-Freeze Tolerant Plants that Often Die During a Hard Freeze
- Native Texas Plants that are Freeze Tolerant in Southeast Texas
Understanding Freeze Damage in Houston Landscapes
Southeast Texas’ climate, while usually mild, is not immune to occasional hard freeze and damaging storms. These events can cause significant damage to plants and trees that are not adapted to prolonged periods of cold and high winds. The severity of the damage depends on factors such as the duration and intensity of the freeze, the specific plant species, and the overall health of the landscape.
When temperatures drop below freezing, ice crystals form within plant tissues, disrupting cellular structures and leading to dehydration and death. Understanding this process is the first step towards effective landscape recovery.
Common Casualties: Plants Vulnerable to Southeast Texas Freezes
Many popular plants, shrubs, and trees that are popular or native to our area are unfortunately susceptible to freeze damage. These typically include tropical and subtropical varieties, as well as those that are not fully dormant during cold spells. Some common plant casualties include:
- Tropical Hibiscus: These vibrant flowering shrubs are particularly vulnerable, often showing signs of damage even with brief freezes.
- Bougainvillea: The colorful, cascading blooms of bougainvillea are a hallmark of many Houston gardens, but they are highly sensitive to cold.
- Citrus Trees: While some citrus varieties can tolerate brief freezes, extended periods of sub-freezing temperatures can cause severe damage to leaves, branches, and fruit.
- Palm Trees: Many palms are not cold hardy and can be severely damaged or killed by extended hard freezes.
- Impatiens and other annual bedding plants: These are usually killed by a hard freeze.
- Some types of soft stemmed herbs: Basil, and many other warm weather herbs will be killed by a freeze.
- Mango Trees: Unfortunately, mango trees often fall victim to freezing temperatures.
- Avocado Trees: Avocado trees are very susceptible to damage or loss from prolonged hard freezes.
- Plumeria: Plumeria plants have the most intoxicatingly wonderful smelling flowers but they are very sensitive to freezing temperatures, so we encourage planting them in your hardscaping areas in pots so they can be moved into the garage during the winter.
Recognizing these vulnerable species is crucial for assessing the extent of the damage and planning your replacement strategy.
Assessing the Damage: What Stays and What Goes?
After a hard freeze, it’s essential to carefully assess the damage before taking any action. Allow some time for plants to show signs of recovery, as some may appear dead but will sprout new growth from the roots.
To assess damage, examine the stems and branches for signs of green tissue. If the tissue is brown and brittle, it’s likely dead. For trees and shrubs, gently scratch the bark to check for green cambium beneath. If the cambium is brown, the branch is dead. For perennials, wait until warmer weather to see if new growth emerges from the crown. If there is no new growth, the plant is likely dead. While some plants may recover with pruning and care, others will need to be replaced.
Revitalizing Your Landscape: Replacement and Recovery Strategies
Once you’ve assessed the damage, it’s time to revitalize your landscape. Start by removing dead plants and pruning damaged branches. This will help prevent the spread of disease and encourage new growth. When replacing plants, consider the timing.
Spring and early summer are ideal for planting in Houston, allowing plants to establish roots before the next winter. Now that it’s May it’s the perfect time to fortify the soil with compost and organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Watering regularly and providing adequate mulch also helps to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature though the summer until fall.
Freeze Tolerant Plants that will Survive or Recover from a Hard Freeze
There are many type of plants that can survive the Texas two step because they are both freeze and drought tolerant. Some of the most resilient freeze and drought hardy plants that are ideal for our climate include but are not limited to:
- Texas Sage: Texas sage is a beautiful evergreen shrub replacement option that is Native to Texas. It is low maintenance but requires full sun and ample drainage. Texas Sage can add color, texture, and dimension to your garden. The gray-green leaves have an unusual hue while their purple flowers emerge in the spring. Also known as the “barometer plant”, it is known to bloom after heavy rain or increase in barometric pressure.
- Turk’s Cap: Turk’s cap is a native Texas plant that grows red flowers resembling, as the name suggests, a Turkish cap or headdress. Native Americans used the flowers to make tea and red paint, and it also attracts pollinators.
- Lantana & Other Native Milk Weeds: Lantana is loved by pollinators such as butterflies and bees and makes a wonderful environmentally friendly and colorful addition to your flowerbeds.
- Black Eyed Susans: Black eyed susans are a native Texas wildflower that looks similar to a sunflower but much smaller in size.
- Texas Redbud Trees: Redbud trees are another small, ornamental tree native to the Lone Star State. They have purple and pink flowers that emerge gloriously to announce the arrival of spring.
- Autumn Sage: Autumn sage, aka cherry sage, is an aromatic flowering shrub that blooms from spring until the first frost. Its flowers come in a variety of colors including red, hot pink, white, purple, and orange.
- Dwarf Yaupon Holly: A native flowering holly that is very cold hardy.
You can create a more resilient landscaping by incorporating these native freeze-tolerant plants that are well-suited to our climate. Contact us to request a free quote so that our professional landscape designers can create a front or backyard garden that is both beautiful and durable.
Why Hire Expert? Professional, Resilient Landscape Designs
Restoring a landscape after a hard freeze can be a daunting task. Our professional landscape designers can provide valuable expertise and guidance throughout the process. After assessing the damage and hearing your style and plant variety preferences they will develop a custom landscape design and replacement plan, selecting the right plants your specific needs. They can also ensure proper planting, care, and seasonal maintenance to maximize your garden’s resilience. Hiring an expert can save you time, money, and frustration. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the view.