Our biggest single problem is all but ignored completely – early fall and late summer drought. Moisture isn’t a problem as a rule up to mid-July because the soil keeps giving off moisture. Mid-summer, when we run into really dry weather that hurts, is when winter killing really begins.

Here it is necessary to know how a woody plant grows. Up to about mid-July branches are elongating. About that time they stop growing at the tips. About August 1, they begin to swell in diameter. This increase in diameter is due to absorption of food and water the plant will utilize the following spring for normal growth. Dry weather dessicates the food-carrying layer just under the bark. It can’t function and as a result, the plants lack the elements needed both for cold resistance and growth.

Too, drought checks the growth of mycorrhizae so these don’t manufacture food to pass on to the plant. Actually, summer drought causes the plant to die the following winter from starvation. For this reason, mist nozzles to supply moisture whenever rain does not fall are essential to good growth in the Midwest.

Protecting Over Winter

Winter protection is vital in our area. Prairie winds are extremely dry and can wipe the moisture out of leaves. For this reason, I like to plant on the north side of a wall or building. The roots should just be in full sun at the edge of the building shadow on June 21. As the sun sinks to the south towards fall, more and more shade falls on it, protecting it from the drying sun in midwinter. Since most of our drying winds come from the south and southwest, a north side location gives the plant additional protection.

To keep flower buds alive, however, further protection is needed. Once plants have begun to form these, a cage of chicken wire, six inches larger all around than the plant should be placed over it soon after the first killing frost. Fill this with dry oak leaves, evergreen boughs, excelsior or other dry, fluffy material. Remove this when spring rains begin.

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