My Fellow Tampa Gardeners:
From time to time, we must take a walk through our yards to gather information about the state of our gardens. We do it during times of prosperity and tranquility, and we do it in the midst of hurricanes and freezes, at moments of great strife and great struggle.
It’s tempting to look back on these moments and assume that our progress was inevitable -– that our gardens were always destined to succeed. But when a historic freeze in 1894 wiped nearly all the citrus crops in Florida, victory was very much in doubt. When Hurricane Andrew stormed ashore, knocking down 25% of the trees in the Everglades, the future was anything but certain.
These were the times that tested the courage of our convictions, and the strength of our native plants. 
And despite the widespread destruction, our gardens prevailed because we chose to move forward.
Again, we are tested. And again, we must answer history’s call. I come before you today to propose a three-part plan to help our gardens recover from The Deep Freeze of 2010.
New leaf buds break along the healthy branch of a live firebush; a light scratch of the bark reveals green beneath.
1. A Partial Freeze on Pruning – Though you may have looked at your shrubs and bushes a few weeks ago and assumed they’d been killed to the ground, by now you may be noticing new growth. Watch for leaf buds to break along the stems, and be patient – very tender plants like hibiscus can take several months to recover. Others, like firebushes, are already starting to show signs of life.
You can find more post-freeze pruning tips.
2. Health Care for Tender Perennials – Plants like salvia or pentas are likely showing no signs of life above ground. Trim them back, but don’t lose hope. Some may have survived the freeze and will show new growth as warm temperatures and winter rains continue. Plants like plumbago and bougainvillea can also be cut back to the ground, and are almost certain to come back.
Some perennial plants become woody over time, like lantana and milkweed. Cut back any woody parts showing no signs of life (use your fingernail to scratch the bark lightly to check for green beneath), but leave any tender stalks showing even minimal signs of life alone. Before long, new green leaves will start to appear, whether along the stalks or at the base of the plants.
3. Plant Choice Reform – Central Florida with its 12-month growing season is great for garden enthusiasts. However, we sometimes forget we’re not truly in the tropics, and focus our gardens on plants that are a little too ambitious for our climate. While tropical plants like banana trees and frangipani are fun to grow, if you fill your entire garden with them, you’ll be left with nothing when the temperature bubble bursts. Now is a great time to re-think your garden foundations, and ensure you have a good base of natives and Florida-Friendly plants to carry you through troubled times.
The spirit that has sustained our gardens is in you, the gardeners. We have finished a difficult month. But a new month has come. We don’t quit. I don’t quit. Let’s seize this moment – to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our gardens once more.
NOTE: This is a tongue-in-cheek take on President Obama’s 2010 State of the Union Address. I’ve probably broken some copyright laws, but don’t tell the FBI, OK? After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and absolutely no disrespect was meant.
Lepcurious
1 month ago
Well said!