Burlap sheets assist crops that want an additional layer in winter — however wrap with warning

Some sorts of shrubs are particularly susceptible to winter, and gardeners usually attempt to defend them with sheets of burlap.

Earlier than you do, “make sure that it’s actually vital,” mentioned Julie Janoski, Plant Clinic supervisor at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. “Wrapping up crops to guard them from winter can do extra hurt than good.”

Burlap that’s wrapped throughout a shrub can gather snow that weighs down the branches and should break them, she mentioned. When the snow melts and spring rains start, the soaked material can entice moisture on the plant’s foliage, which may encourage fungal ailments.

For sure crops, burlap, which might be bought at panorama provide firms, might be useful throughout winter. For instance, it might be used to guard broad-leaved evergreens similar to boxwoods and azaleas whose leaves can simply dry out; hybrid tea roses and large leaf hydrangeas that aren’t fairly hardy in Chicago’s chilly climate; or any evergreens similar to arborvitaes which are uncovered to salt from close by sidewalks, streets or driveways.

“The crops you would possibly contemplate defending are those that really had a major problem the earlier winter,” she mentioned. “Don’t wrap crops up simply in case.”

One of the best ways to make use of burlap is to not wrap the plant’s leaves and branches, however to create a barrier in opposition to wind or salt. Staple burlap to stakes pounded into the bottom to help a vertical display screen on the issue aspect of the shrub, or to create a fence round it. For instance, you would possibly make a burlap display screen alongside the driveway to intercept salt spray, or as a windbreak on the aspect of the prevailing wind to guard a young shrub from icy blasts.

The vertical burlap gained’t gather snow and can depart the shrub open to air circulation, so its leaves can dry off after a rainstorm or after snow melts. Preserve the burlap a couple of inches away from the plant.

A shrub can nonetheless be broken in a extreme chilly snap if it has an underlying downside similar to illness, or if it suffers from lack of water.

“Crucial factor you are able to do to guard evergreen shrubs over the winter is to water them all through the summer season and fall,” she mentioned. If the shrubs don’t have sufficient water saved of their leaves or needles, a burlap display screen can’t preserve them from drying out.

To scale back the chance, “select the best shrubs within the first place,” Janoski mentioned. For instance, junipers can deal with the results of salt higher than boxwoods or arborvitaes, and so they could be a better option close to a driveway or sidewalk.

The Plant Clinic might help you choose crops appropriate to your scenario.

“Selecting the best crops can scale back the necessity for upkeep duties similar to creating winter safety,” she mentioned.

For tree and plant recommendation, contact the Plant Clinic at The Morton Arboretum (630-719-2424, mortonarb.org/plant-clinic, or plantclinic@mortonarb.org). Beth Botts is a workers author on the Arboretum.