When I planted these in July they were in 1 gallon pots, so they were young and freshly planted when the snow hit in December. We are expecting another snow before Spring so should I leave them for now or cut off the dead parts right away? Is there anything else I can do in Spring to give them a boost? cheers! -erika
Looks pretty bad - you may have to replace with other specimens or another selection later in the year. In this climate this species likes a hot and sunny spot with good drainage. Seattle has old plants on or near walls that are nearly the size and shape of small trees.
I've been watching recent street median plantings of these here in Surrey that now look absolutely aweful. This is normally such a tough plant, I thought it would have been a good item for this use, definitely doesn't look like it at this point. Of course, the median plantings have to contend with street salt as well, not sure how that fits into the whole winter damage experience here. I always prefer to keep the damaged foliage on til harsh weather is past, even those crappy looking branches will act as a bit of radiative frost protection for the next month or so. Hard to look at tho isn't it, sad...
Thanks you two! It is sad, the snow can be such an evil thing, I will cut off the dead stuff in Spring and wait to see what happens, ho-hum. -erika
More likely cold than snow. There are bacteria like Pseudomonas that can increase cold damage, unsuitable soils and exposures may also result in damage to plants hardier to lower temperatures - when fully hardened off - than were experienced. This being a hot climate plant there is probably more involved than the temperatures that occurred.
