Grow through the snow
Wintry weather can take its toll on your garden, so protect those valuable plants. We explain how
Published: 10 January 2010
The blanket of snow that has fallen over many of our gardens in the past week has turned them into a winter wonderland. Unfortunately, appearances can be deceptive, and the combination of snow, ice and persistent freezing temperatures could mean trouble unless you take urgent action.
The conditions may be enough to deter even the most passionate gardener, but if you make the effort to wrap up warm and head outdoors, you can help your garden to make it through a difficult time relatively unscathed. Just take care not to walk across the lawn, or on snow-covered borders, to avoid crushing emerging spring bulbs.
In extreme winter weather, it is plants originating from warmer climes, such as the Mediterranean, that are most susceptible to permanent damage from prolonged exposure to subzero temperatures. These include bay trees (Laurus nobilis), bananas (Musa basjoo), olives (Olea europaea), tree ferns (Dicksonia antarctica) and palms,