Question
I've noticed that several plants around my house went dormant over the cold winter and don't seem to be coming out of it. Two in particular are a 5' tall angel trumpet plant (in full sun) and a small Impatiens niamniamensis (in mostly shade). I'm almost positive they are not dead as the trunk and woody stems appear healthy and not dried out. Is there anything I can do to help these guys out?
Dave
Answer
These plants were definitely affected by our winter freezes and frosts. I am guessing that both were top killed. Scratch the bark. If it is green underneath, they are alive. If dull brown green or brown, they are dead. Many of the Brugmansia are resprouting from the base. The impatiens, especially in the shade may be slow to resprout. If you find that the plants branches are indeed still living, pruning them back will initiate growth. In all honesty, if the plants were still living, you should have seen signs of life by mid April , but where there is green, there is hope.
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