With winter on the way, it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your landscape safe from the cold. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can be brutal on plants—especially shrubs. No matter your style, whether it’s a formal garden, a cozy English garden, or a laid-back woodland landscape, taking some simple steps now can save you from finding a yard full of sad, damaged plants come spring.
Wrapping shrubs is one of the best ways to help them through the winter. In this guide, we’ll cover why it’s so important, show you exactly how to wrap your shrubs, and even share four pro tips to give your plants a little extra winter protection. With the right care, your landscape can come back strong and healthy when spring rolls around.
Why Wrap Your Shrubs?
Some plants—like Japanese maples, boxwoods, junipers, and arborvitae—need a little extra help to make it through winter. Wrapping your shrubs can make a big difference, helping them stay healthy and making it easier for them to bounce back in spring. Here’s why winter wrapping is so important:
- Keeps Your Shrubs Warm: Winter wraps act like a cozy blanket, helping shrubs hold onto the warmth they need.
- Reduces Moisture Loss: Cold winds can dry plants out. Wrapping keeps moisture in, so shrubs stay hydrated through winter.
- Deters Hungry Deer: Deer often see shrubs as an easy snack during winter, but wraps can help keep them at bay.
- Protects Against Ice Damage: Ice buildup can weigh down branches, causing breakage. Wrapping adds a layer of protection.
- Minimizes Salt Damage: If your plants are near roads or walkways, wraps help shield them from road salt and de-icing chemicals.
The bottom line? If you don’t wrap your shrubs, you risk finding dead or damaged plants when spring rolls around.
How To Wrap a Shrub For Winter
1. Wrap With Twine
Keep an eye on the weather! When heavy snow is in the forecast, it’s a good idea to bind the branches of your shrubs with twine to protect them. You can pick up twine at any hardware or garden store. Here’s how to do it:
- Start at the base of the shrub and work your way up, wrapping the twine around the branches in a gentle spiral pattern.
- Make sure the branches are snug but not overly tight, allowing the plant some room to breathe.
- When you’re finished, your shrub should have a cone-like shape, which helps it shed snow and reduces the risk of branches breaking under the weight.
2. Cover With A Burlap Sack
After wrapping your shrubs with twine, the next step is to cover them with burlap for an extra layer of winter protection. Burlap might not be the most decorative choice, but it’s incredibly effective at shielding shrubs from the elements. Here’s why burlap works so well:
- Cold and Wind Protection: Burlap acts as a natural barrier, helping to block freezing winds that can dry out and damage shrubs.
- Deer Deterrent: Deer tend to avoid burlap-covered plants, so it can help keep your shrubs safe from hungry visitors.
- Breathable Layer: Unlike plastic, burlap is breathable, allowing air to circulate while still protecting plants from harsh weather.
Simply drape the burlap over the shrub and secure it at the base.
3. Wrap Trunks With Tree Wraps
Cold temperatures and bright winter sunlight can lead to frostbite and sunscald, both of which can damage shrubs through their trunks. To help prevent this, consider wrapping your shrubs’ trunks before the first hard freeze and unwrapping them after the final frost of spring. Tree wraps are easy to find at most hardware or garden stores.
The process is simpler than you might think. Just wrap the tree wrap around the trunk from the base upward, ensuring a snug but breathable fit. If you’re wondering about timing, plan to spend about 10 to 30 minutes per shrub to fully wrap and prepare it for winter.
With these steps, your shrubs will have extra protection where they need it most—right at the trunk.
4 Pro Tips to Protect Your Shrubs In Winter
Now that you’ve mastered the basics of winter shrub wrapping, here are a few extra tips to help your plants weather the cold even better:
- Keep Shrubs Well-Watered
Continue watering your shrubs throughout the fall and right up until the ground freezes. Hydrated plants are more resilient to winter stress. - Add Mulch for Ground Insulation
Spread about 4 inches of bark mulch or leaves around the base of your shrubs. This helps insulate the soil, keeping roots protected from sudden temperature drops. - Use an Anti-Desiccant Spray
Apply an anti-desiccant spray in November to help shrubs retain moisture, and repeat once a month through winter. Avoid spraying if the temperature is below 40°F, as it may not absorb properly. - Try a Garden Pump Sprayer for Large Areas
If you have many shrubs, consider using a garden pump sprayer to apply the anti-desiccant evenly and save time.
These extra steps will give your shrubs the added winter protection they need to stay healthy and vibrant through to spring.
Wrapping Up
Winter can be tough on your landscape, especially your shrubs. By taking the time to wrap them, you’re giving your plants the best chance to survive and thrive through the cold months. It’s a straightforward process that you can complete in a day with just a few simple materials.
We hope you found this guide helpful! You deserve an outdoor space you love, one that’s not only beautiful but well-protected. If you’re looking for more ways to enhance your outdoor living space, reach out to us—we’d love to help you take it to the next level. Schedule a call with us today!
