Anti-Desiccants:
Why, What, and When

Have you wondered why some of your plants die in the winter, even when you provide winter protection?

Many plants die during winter because they dry out, or desiccate. As temperatures drop, the ground freezes and plant roots cannot take water from the soil. This causes the plant to use stored water from the leaves and stems as part of the transpiration process, during which water exits the plant through the leaves. If the sun is shining or the wind is blowing, transpiration increases and more water exits the leaves. If no water is available and transpiration continues, the plant will soon die. Because evergreen plants do not drop their leaves, they are especially susceptible to this death.

What can you do to prevent this?

The first step is to remember healthy plants in the summer survive the hardships of winter far better than unhealthy or stressed plants.

Second, be sure to water well when temperatures begin dropping below freezing. Later, if the ground thaws, water before the ground refreezes.

The third suggestion is to use an anti-desiccant, also called an anti-transpirant to reduce the moisture loss from the leaves and needles. Because broadleaf evergreens such as boxwood, aucuba, holly, rhododendron, many laurels, Japanese skimmia, and leucothoe do not drop their leaves, they are especially vulnerable to winter death. Using a product such as Wilt-Pruf to reduce transpiration by protecting the pores, saves many broadleaf evergreens.

When using any horticultural product, be sure to check the labels and follow all instructions. Some conifers such as cedar, cypress, juniper and pine may benefit from these products. However, be sure to read the instructions to prevent burning specific conifers. Also, do not use on "waxy" blue conifers, such as blue spruce, which already have an oily protective film on the nettles.

Here are a few reminders to get the best protection from an anti-desiccant:

• Plan to apply when day temperatures begin dropping below 50?F. Apply when temperatures are above freezing on a dry day with no rain anticipated within 24 hours. This allows the product to dry. Spraying in freezing temperatures will cause plant damage.
• Do not spray conifers until thoroughly dormant, generally in late winter. This prevents trapping moisture in the needles which could burst when frozen.
• Generously apply to dry leaves and needles. Don’t forget the undersides.
• Because the anti-desiccant will break down in light and warmth, reapply in late winter on a dry day when temperatures are above freezing for at least 24 hours.

Did you know there are other uses for anti-desiccants? Many gardeners use it to protect newly transplanted shrubs from drying winds and sunshine as they settle in. It also provides protection to tender bulbs going into storage. A quick spray in early winter protects rose canes and hydrangea stems. Spraying onto Christmas trees and carved pumpkins slows the drying process, making them last longer.

To answer your questions, or to choose the best product for your landscape plants, come in to discuss with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members. Together, we can reduce the number of plants you lose to the dryness of winter and keep your garden beautiful and healthy.

Plant Nursey in Clifton Park, NY

Offering Landscape Design & Installation & Much More!

Seven Top Trees for
Multi-Season Interest

I think that I shall never see
A Poem lovely as a tree…
Joyce Kilmer

Obviously, we love trees. What’s not to love about a tree? As they grow, their photosynthesis removes and stores CO2, thus maintaining a safe oxygen level for us. Additionally, they provide beauty in our gardens and parks. Many provide shade, fruit, syrup, nesting places, animal refuge, even the subject for poems!

We want you to get the most enjoyment of your trees. Therefore, we have selected seven underused, but special, trees for you. Very hardy, these trees provide all-year interest in mid-Atlantic gardens.

Serviceberry or Shadblow
Amelanchier varieties grandiflora

SPRING: Showy drooping clusters of white flowers as purple leaves emerge.
SUMMER: Leaves turn deep green.
FALL: Vivid fall colors.
WINTER: Open shape is attractive when backlit by winter sun.
GROWTH: Full sun to part shade. Tolerant of many soils.
NOTES: Small trees or tall shrubs to 20-25’ and wide. Many different colors and varieties available.

Katsura
Cercidiphyllum japonicum

SPRING: Heart-shaped 2-4” red-purple leaves emerge and turn bright green. Small flowers in April cast an underlying pink tone.
SUMMER: Numerous small, flat-winged seedpods hang in clusters of 3-5.
FALL: Brilliant fall colors of bright yellow, pink and reds. Leaves produce a sweet candy-like fragrance.
WINTER: Rough, or shaggy, furrowed bark stands out against snow.
GROWTH: Full sun, rich, moist and well-drained soil. Tolerant of alkaline soil.
NOTES: Younger pyramidal shape changes to rounded crown as matures. Very slow growth to 30-60’ tall by 15-40’ wide. Weeping form also available growing to 20’ tall and 10’ wide.

Pagoda Dogwood
Cornus alternifolia

SPRING: 3-4” flat clusters of fragrant white flowers in early spring. Young stems have unique bluish color.
SUMMER: Green fruits turning to red then colorful small blue-black berries. Eaten by over 98 types of birds.
FALL: Leaves turn to brilliant deep burgundy. Bright red fruit stems persist.
WINTER: Leafless unique horizontal branching structure provides visual interest. Ridged bark on older trees is dramatic.
GROWTH: 15’ -25’ tall. Best in cool shaded area in moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Tolerant of full sun and alkaline soil.
NOTES: Native to upper Midwest. Grow as 25’ tall single or multi-trunked specimen providing elegant shape in small landscapes.

‘Winter King’ Hawthorne
Crataegus viridis ‘Winter King’

SPRING: Abundant white flowers in early to mid-May.
SUMMER: Leathery dark green foliage. 3/8” green fruits appear.
FALL: Green turns to golden yellow. Fruits ripen from orange to bright orange-red by late fall.
WINTER: Fruits persist until eaten by the birds. Scaly silvery-gray bark glints in low winter light. Mature tree bark peels off to show light orange inner bark.
GROWTH: Grows to 12’ tall with a rounded crown. Full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, but not water-ogged soil.
NOTES: ‘Winter King’ has few thorns.
Useful in small landscapes, parking lots, and as street tree.

Seven-Son Flower
Heptacodium miconioides

SPRING: Glossy attractive leaves unfurl in May.
SUMMER: Fragrant, jasmine-like white flowers emerge in late summer at branch tips.
FALL: Flowers mature to form red-purple fruits with pink calyxes, changing to persisting bright red.
WINTER: Easily seen after leaves drop, light brown or bronze peeling bark reveals deeper brown underneath.
GROWTH: Full sun to part shade.
NOTES: Grows 15-20’ tall and 10-15’ wide either as single or multi-trunked small tree.

Flowering Crabapple
Malus varieties

SPRING: Green or purple red leaves before or after profuse white, pink, red or purple single or double flowers.
SUMMER: Flowers turn to brightly colored fruits enjoyed by birds.
FALL: Beautiful fiery fall foliage colors.
WINTER: Bark of young trees is greenish brown. Changes to shiny brown-gray.
GROWTH: 20-25’ tall and wide. Weeping form available. Full sun, well-drained soil.
NOTES: ‘Prairifire’ has bright red flowers followed by 3/8” red-purple fruits. Bark is red-brown, accents the vivid fall foliage.

Stewartia
Stewartia pseudocamellia

SPRING: Purple-tinted young leaves turn dark green by early summer.
SUMMER: Camellia-like white flowers 2-3” wide with orange anthers in July. Followed by pointed seedpods.
FALL: Orange and red colors blaze in fall.
WINTER: Outstanding bark flakes off as layers to show gray, reds and orange under-colors in all seasons. Especially showy against snow.
GROWTH: Full sun to part shade. Best in rich, well-drained acidic soil. Protect from hot afternoon sun.
NOTES: Slowly grows to 20-40’ tall as multi-trunked rounded columnar tree.

Of course, these aren’t the only trees with year-round interest. Harry Lauder’s Walkingstick, paperbark maple, tri-colored beech, ‘JN Strain’ musclewood, and the various cherries, are among so many others.

Come on in to see our diverse and incredible selection of beautiful trees. We’ll help you select the perfect one for your landscaping needs and ensure you enjoy it throughout the year. The birds, animals and earth will thank you and maybe, you’ll even write your own poem!