BRUNSWICK, Ga. – As temperatures plummet, plant enthusiasts are racing to protect their greenery from freezing conditions.
For Sharon Wertz, owner of Dave’s Landscaping & Nursery in Brunswick, preparing for the cold means days of covering her plants and fielding calls from concerned gardeners.
On Monday we started with things she is not covering.
“Things that I’m not covering are very cold hardy here,” she said.
For more than 60 years, Wertz has nurtured a thriving collection of plants, creating a jungle-like oasis in Brunswick. With decades of experience, she’s learned what to cover and what to leave exposed.
“Azaleas, I’ve run out of stuff to cover with,” she said. “If they get hit, I’ll just cut them off. They’ll flush out. This is a repeat bloomer, so it won’t die.”
Experience has been her best teacher. Reflecting on past cold snaps, Wertz recalled the lessons learned during a particularly icy storm.
“I think it was, 2018 that we had that one-inch ice storm. I had so many plants crowded under there (bamboo) and covered, and the ice just brought it to the ground. It saved everything,” she said.
Covering plants the right way
According to Wertz, covering plants with breathable materials is essential to their survival. At her nursery, she uses pots with soil and breathable coverings, but she also suggests gardeners turn to natural solutions.
“A lot of people can use pine straw when in doubt, because pine straw helps plants retain heat and adds extra heat to the soil,” she said.
However, Wertz warns against using the wrong materials.
“You never do plastic. Plastic will kill it in a heartbeat,” she said.
For plants that are especially sensitive or tropical, she offers another unexpected tip: using a sprinkler, especially in a greenhouse.
“It elevates the heat. My little sprinkler will run over there, and it keeps it warmer in here. So this is where the real tropical or very sensitive plants are at,” she explained.
Timing and sunlight are key
Wertz also stresses the importance of timing and sunlight when protecting plants.
“If you cover them for a week on end, you might as well not even cover them because they’ll die,” she said. “You always want to make sure sunlight can still get through.”
Some plants, such as camellias, require extra care in freezing weather because they will burn.
“Are camellia japonicas and Sasanqua Camellia, and that sleet or ice will burn every bud on them,” she noted.
Nature, experience, and a little help
For Wertz, preparation is not just about the right materials and timing; it’s also about understanding the unique needs of each plant and adapting to conditions. With her experience and a little help from her cat, Paddy Cakes — her “tour guide” around the nursery — Wertz is confident her plants will survive the freeze.
“We started Wednesday of last week. That was crowding everything together. Then Saturday, laying everything down so I wouldn’t be caught off guard,” she said.