Frost Heaving: Freezing temperatures in soil can subject your plants to frost heaving. This is when ice forms underneath the soil and expands upwards. Ordinarily this is just simple soil mechanics. However perennials such as Heuchera (Coral Bells) are particularly prone to frost heaving as their root system/ball is not deep to begin with. If the ground heaves it brings the roots to the surface and can cause sufficient damage to stunt or kill the plant. A preventative measure is to apply mulch around the coral Bells.
Anti-Desiccant Spray: When the daytime temperatures start falling below 50 degrees it is time to apply an anti-desiccant spray to your broad leaf evergreens such as holly, rhododendron, cherry laurel, skip laurel, mountain laurel, Japanese skimmia, leucothoe, aucuba and boxwood. These plants can be subject to severe winter burn due to water loss from the leaves by transpiration. Apply anti dessicant spray when the temperatures are above freezing and there is no threat of rain or frost within 24 hours. If there is a prolonged thaw in mid-winter or warmer than normal temperature in the middle of winter and no rain or frost forecast go anti-desiccant spray your broad leaf evergreens.
