RADIO TRANSCRIPT
July 24, 2023
Taylor Campbell

This is Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension Burke Center.

The extreme cold spell at the end of December 2022 caused severe damage to many shrubs and bushes around North Carolina homes. With plants continuing to display damage from the winter, you may be wondering what to remove and what to attempt to rescue in your landscape.

The cold is just one part of the puzzle when shrub health declines. Other factors include soil pH, soil volume, too much or too little water and light availability.

Some shrubs may need a good pruning and time to recover from the winter stress. If you want to try to revive the shrub through pruning, you’ll need to trim it down with sturdy pruning shears. Don’t remove more than one-third of the plant in a season. If the plant is healthy, it will soon produce new green shoots. If your shrub has more brown branches than green at the core, it may be time for you to remove it. When shrubs become too woody in the middle, start over with another plant.

Well-established shrubs may have large, complex root structures. Make sure to completely remove them before planting something new. If you must replace landscape shrubs and plants, Burke County has dozens of nurseries and plant retailers. You won’t have to drive far to replace your shrubs.

When you visit a local nursery to choose new plants, make sure and read the tags and note the light, water, and soil requirements. Ensure the new plants fit your landscape. This has been Taylor Campbell, horticulture extension agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension Burke Center. For more information, contact us at 764-9480.