What kinds of plants need protection from frost and cold?
Flowers: While colder temperatures may enhance the color in ornamental plants, such as cabbage and kale, many tropicals will not survive even the slightest frost. The more delicate plants are generally grown in pots so they can be moved indoors for the winter. Depending on the type of plant, a frost may ruin flowers or buds, but the plant will survive whether it’s been covered or not. We recommend you check with your local nursery or landscape specialist for their opinion. Frost-tender plants, such as crotons, impatiens and zinnias, which are grown as annuals, can be covered. Many gardeners don’t cover them in the fall because they will be replace with winter annuals. Tender (may not survive a freeze) Brugmansia (angel’s trumpet) Plumerias Tropical Hibiscus Semi-hardy (down to upper 20s) Azaleas (cover when blooming) Boxwood Indian hawthorn Ligustrum Petunias Roses Snapdragons Hardy (survive mid-20s dip) Alyssum Calendula Cyclamen Pansies Stock Root-hardy shrubs – may suffer damage to
