Winter is over and when you look at the spindle bush your mood darkens. He seems to be frozen because he looks completely lifeless. Can he still be saved now?
What to do if a spindle bush is frozen?
A frozen spindle bush shows dried leaves and possibly dying branches. To save it, cut back frozen shoots and protect sensitive spindle bushes with frost protection. Rescue is unlikely if the roots are frozen.
How do I know if the spindle bush is frozen?
You can recognize a frozen spindle bush bydried leaves At first they still hang down. Later the leaves fall off the spindle bush. In severe cases, entire branches and twigs can even be frozen. They can then be easily broken and the inside has dried out.
Can the frozen spindle bush still be saved?
Whether the frostbitten spindle bush can still be saved depends on the extent to which thefrost damage has progressed. If only the leaves and shoots are frozen, there is still hope. However, if the roots of the spindle bush were frozen and could no longer absorb moisture and nutrients from the soil, it is very likely that the spindle bush is dead.
Should you cut back the frozen spindle bush?
Frozen spindle bush shoots should be cut back with clean and sharp secateurs. Only when these have been rigorously cut back can new shoots emerge. If a few cut branches still contain enough sap, you could use them as cuttings to propagate the spindle bush.
When does the spindle bush stop sprouting?
If the frost damage is so severe that the entireroot ball is frozen through, the spindle bush will usually not sprout again. However, if only the upper parts of the plant are frozen, the spindle bush will sprout again in spring.
Which spindle bushes are prone to frostbite in winter?
TheJapanese spindle bush quickly runs the risk of freezing to death if it grows outdoors in a harsh region. At temperatures below -5 °C it is already weak and cannot withstand the frost.
Other species of spindle bushes and especially native species such as the evergreen creeping spindle (Euonymus fortunei) are usually sufficiently hardy.
How to protect spindle bushes from frost?
Spindle bushes that are sensitive to frost should be provided withFrost protection in winter. For example, place a layer of brushwood or leaves over the root area of the plant.
You should definitely overwinter a spindle bush in a pot in a frost-free and bright place. The temperature is ideally between 6 and 10 °C. While the potted plant is overwintering, it is important to ensure that the soil does not dry out. You should also check them regularly for pest infestation and diseases such as mildew.
Tip
Protect spindle bushes in the first year
Freshly planted, the spindle bushes often do not have enough strength to withstand extreme sub-zero temperatures in winter. It is therefore recommended that you generally provide spindle bushes outdoors with winter protection in their first year of growth.
