How much damage is this snow and cold doing?

Hi all

We planted a whole lot of new hedging shrubs in the front garden down our new driveway last autumn, all of them evergreen but only a handful seemed to have survived the cold weather, all others are brown and looking very poorly.  I picked shrubs which could withstand strong winds but not severe frosts - it''s something we never see near the cost until this latest cold weather.   So sad, even bulbs planted in between look severely incapacitated!

I think this spring will be a good time for garden centres as everyone replaces their lost shrubs and plants.

I have about 100 containers in my back garden because I have very little soil for planting. These are mainly planted up with shrubs, and I have noticed these last couple of days that they are as dry as a bone. Since the snow melted we haven't had any rain to speak about. They need a good water, but I have never had to do this at this time of year before, and I am worried that if I do water them, the water will freeze and make matters worse at the roots.

Plenty of rain forecast this week, Sparrow. You may find that there is already plenty of moisture at the roots of your pot plants. The truth is we won't really know which plants have died untill the spring, when they often surprise us and start shooting again, often down at the base.

Hi Brenda,

You are right about our plants surprising us in the spring and coming back from the dead. It is just a matter of waiting and being patient. I will wait for the rain. If I went out and watered them  hubby would send for the men in white coats! Having said that, I do water them all daily during the summer, rain or no rain, and can often be seen out with the hose pipe when it is actually raining! My next door neighbour has commented about it several times!

Hi Kezmo don't  give up on hedging shrubs etc they have marvellous powers of recovery,give them chance well into spring as years ago there were loads of times when longer spells than this happened.Good luck and best wishes.

Hi Sparrow

Gosh, I admire you for gardening in 100 pots - that's dedication. I'd agree to let Mother Nature water the pots when she's ready - the repeated  freeze and thaw you get in pots may be more damaging that letting the sleeping plants go without a bit of water for a while.

I think you're right that people everywhere will see some cherished plants not make it through this winter. I think the delight will be when some of those that we thought were a-gonna surprise us and fight back.

Hi Adrian,

I admire myself for gardening in 100 containers! However, I like colour in my life. I can't live without colour, and I like bees and butterflies, not to mention my birds, so without any soil in the back garden I have no choice. I seem to be forever watering and feeding, and it looks like a lot of re-potting once this awful weather is behind us because some of my (guaranteed frost proof) terracotta pots are sheddding their outside skins with the frost and are likely to disintegrate very soon.

Hi Rev.d

I am raising my glass to you ... and wishing you all the very best in your new business. Chin up, spring is just around the corner.

I planted hanging baskets  with winter pansies, with a group of children (Aged 6). They are still sitting on the ground, but have flowered enough for the children to feel pride in a job well done. Maybe their location saved them, as they are quite sheltered.

In my garden the first snowdrops are opening, so spring IS on the way, but I'm sure your baskets will start responding and be beautiful. After all, winter doesn't give up quickly, but lingers on until April or May.

i have snowdrops too they sem to like the cold winter the usual sping bulbs growing some a month lates then usual

i have a problem with too much rain my lavenders wont like that

couldnt get out tin the garden as it was frozen now its just too wet paddles every where