Spring in New Orleans is such a wonderful time of the year. The azaleas are in full bloom, and the crape myrtles are starting to show signs of life with leaves just beginning to emerge.
New Orleans had a rough winter with several tropical plants were severely damaged due to cold temperatures. Plants like agapanthus survived in many areas, but all the foliage was burnt all the way to the roots. On the other hand, a large number of tropical palm trees were not so lucky and didn't survive winter.
One benefit that we have seen this Spring is the reduction of insect infestations because of the cold winter weather; scale did not survive the cold. As an example, scale is on almost every sago palm in New Orleans. After a hard freeze, even though the insect is dead, it will remain on the palm unless you use Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap.
Instructions:
Apply two tablespoons of Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap per gallon of water in a pump sprayer.
Let dry for 24 -48 hours
Use a hose with spray nozzle and aggressively wash the foliage
Groundcovers were very resilient during the cold snaps. Aztec grass and other similar border plants just required heavy pruning to allow the new Spring growth to flourish. On the other hand, landscapes that were bordered with duranta, blue daze, and heather saw a one hundred percent loss.
Now that Spring has finally arrived, take the opportunity to revisit the plant selection in your landscape and make the necessary changes today. If you are struggling with design questions or need advice, contact our landscape department in Metairie by calling 504-608-4606.