A grassy yard covered with fallen autumn leaves, bordered by trees. Houses and a street with a fire hydrant are visible in the background. A bird feeder hangs from a pole near the trees.

November extinguished the landscape ablaze, leaving only a few smoldering embers amongst the ashes.  The trees stood unadorned and humbled as their Autumnal attire laid at their feet.  The great sentinels now stood vulnerable and exposed.

A close-up of a brown, dried leaf with frosty edges hanging from a twig, with a blurry, light gray background.

With Winter nipping at our heels, and the threat of consistent hard frosts, our trees and shrubs do require a little care to help protect them from the brutalities of the impending season.

Close-up of several green garden hoses with a crisscross pattern on the surface, coiled and stacked on top of each other.

First, trees and shrubs, before they go dormant, should be watered if Fall rains have been inadequate.  This applies to all trees and shrubs; however, newly planted trees and evergreens are more susceptible to desiccation and dehydration.  Moist soil also helps protect the roots from cold injury.

A mulched garden bed with some green plants surrounds a tree, bordered by rocks, next to a white fence in a backyard with grass and more plants in the background.

Trees and shrubs should also be mulched or re-mulched.  As you already know, mulch helps retain moisture and insulates the soil.

A close-up of tree branches with a few green leaves sprouting amid mostly bare, brown branches and dried berries, set against a blurred outdoor background.

Lastly, it is recommended that you do not prune, other than removing dead, damaged or crossing branches.  Pruning now may still encourage new growth, which will not have a chance to harden off before winter; thereby, injuring the plant.

Tall trees with autumn leaves in shades of red and orange surround a leafless tree. A large tree trunk is visible on the left, and the sky is bright blue in the background.

As we prepare our yards and gardens for Winter, it’s important we offer a little love, time and care to our trees and shrubs.  As always, feel free to reach out to Sweeney’s with any of your Winter preparation needs. We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!

Sweeney’s:  A Plant Based Company

Plant of the Week

A vibrant garden bed filled with lush green plants topped with clusters of striking red and yellow flower spikes, with blurred purple flowers and greenery in the background. Photo courtesy of Walters Garden is overlaid.

Spigelia marilandica ‘Little Redhead’

Clump forming perennial produces red, trumpet shaped flowers with yellow centers atop stiff stems in early Summer.  Prefers full sun to partial sun and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 24-36″ tall and 18-24″ wide.  Attracts hummingbirds.

“November at its best – with a sort of delightful menace in the air.”

-Anne Bosworth Greene

Best wishes,

Kim Sweeney