[Villages PL]

I have a firebush and ixora bush and both are very sensitive to the cold. Last year we had a couple of frosts and they were both damaged.

A few days ago the weather forecast called for a hard freeze. But both of the above bushes were not at all harmed. What happened? Did we get a hard freeze or not?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I didn't realize that one night under 32 degrees was considered a hard freeze.

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I have a firebush and ixora bush and both are very sensitive to the cold. Last year we had a couple of frosts and they were both damaged.

A few days ago the weather forecast called for a hard freeze. But both of the above bushes were not at all harmed. What happened? Did we get a hard freeze or not?

I'm glad you posted this ?. I've been wondering the same thing. Several hours under 32 is considered a hard freeze and I think we had it, but I have
not seen any damage in my yard and driving around have only seen pots of
New Guinea impatiens zapped!!! Very bizarre and not sure what the hell really happened.

I know it takes a while for some damage to show up, but definitely with the warm day today it would have exhibited if it was going to happen. Maybe we dodged the bullet.

[784caroline]

i think the wind helped us all!

[2BNTV]

I read that a hard freeze is the tempature dropping below 32 degrees for 4 hours or more. An old set of bedsheets, did the trick, for my protection of one plant.

Prefer a day like today, with temps, in the low 80's.

[travelguy]

other than new guinea impatiens getting turned into mush, i had no other damages. and now my firebush is so tall since it has not been harmed since the winter of 2011. it and the hibiscus next to it are over 7 feet tall!

[Hancle704]

I believe that many flowers and shrubs survived the cold over the 2 nights earlier this week was because there were strong breezes, dry air and no frost.

[billethkid]

And keep in mind that some places the temp just does not gEt as low as the forecasters say.

Also when temps do go below freezing for several hours or days covering does not stop the moisture in the plants from freezing which is what maims or kills them.

[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I have a firebush and ixora bush and both are very sensitive to the cold. Last year we had a couple of frosts and they were both damaged.

A few days ago the weather forecast called for a hard freeze. But both of the above bushes were not at all harmed. What happened? Did we get a hard freeze or not?

I'm not sure what the exact temperatures were these past few really cold nights. That being said, you won't know if any plants, shrubs, etc., have been damaged by the cold for a week or two -- sometimes longer. You may see signs of damage within a couple of days, but the real truth can't be found that soon.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by travelguy

i had no other damages. and now my firebush is so tall since it has not been harmed since the winter of 2011. it and the hibiscus next to it are over 7 feet tall!

Yes, I'm dealing with the same thing, my firebush is over 7' tall.