Do All Hedges Lose Their Leaves in the Winter?

Hedges are great for decoration, privacy, and local insects. However, they often freeze and lose their leaves during the colder months. Whether you want to preserve your hedges’ leaves or you don’t want to plant hedges that can lose their leaves, you’re in the right place.

Most hedges lose their leaves in the winter, but beech hedges, wintergreen boxwoods, evergreen hollies, and blue spruce hedges won’t lose too many leaves. You can prevent your hedges from losing their leaves by covering them in a thin plastic sheet with a cloth cover underneath.

Throughout this post, I’ll explain which hedges lose their leaves, how you can keep them from getting too dry, and whether or not they can make it through extremely cold temperatures.

What Hedges Don’t Lose Their Leaves in Winter?

Hedges that don’t lose their leaves in winter include the following:

• Wintergreen boxwoods
• Beech hedges
• Evergreen hedges
• Winter honeysuckle
• Blue spruce hedges
• Sweet alyssum hedges

Some of these hedges will lose their leaves if they freeze and aren’t watered or fertilized. However, this issue typically occurs when the hedges die. Most hedges can push through a few nights of cold weather, but the vast majority of hedges shouldn’t freeze for too long.

Garden Guides explains that most hedges with broad leaves have a harder time during the winter. The wide, thin leaves are more susceptible to freezing. The woodier and denser the hedges are, the more suitable they’ll be to make it through the winter.

Keep in mind that many places freeze during the fall and spring. While the winter is coldest for the longest time, it’s important to protect your hedges and other plants throughout the year. For example, some flowers, trees, and grasses can’t withstand extremely cold weather.

Do Privet Hedges Lose Their Leaves in Winter?

Privet hedges lose their leaves in winter if they dip below freezing. However, most privets are classified as semi-evergreen, which means the leaves turn dark brown and dry during the winter. California privets won’t lose their leaves unless they get extremely cold, according to Quick Hedge.

If you live in a moderate to mild climate, you likely won’t have to worry about your privet hedges losing their leaves during the winter. Make sure the soil stay hydrated and loose enough for the roots to grow. Drying, falling leaves could be a sign of a lack of nutrients or excessive sunlight.

Do Boxwoods Keep Their Leaves All Winter?

Boxwoods can turn brown in the winter if they get winter burn, but the leaves won’t fall off. These evergreen hedges are able to withstand extreme temperatures. During the summer, they can get oily, which makes the boxwoods smell bad. This process is completely natural.

SFGate shows winter burn can destroy boxwood hedges. Winter burn is when the plants can’t absorb as much water as they’re losing. The frozen stems and leaves limit the hedge’s water consumption, causing the leaves to turn brown and occasionally fall off.

Consider trimming the leaves and cutting back the woody parts of the plants after winter to let them insulate the hedges.

Can Hedges Survive Freezing Temperatures?

Woody hedges can survive freezing temperatures, though their leaves might turn brown. Herbaceous hedges often wilt and lose their leaves. Their roots and stems get quite fragile if they get too cold. The best way to know if your hedges will survive the local climate is to find out if they’re native.

The best way to know if your hedges are freezing is if the leaves turn brown. Hedges turn brown from a lack of water, excessive dryness, extreme temperatures, etc. While the woody portion of most hedges can make it through the winter, the same can’t be said for the leaves and flowers.

Fortunately, most hedges grow their leaves and flowers during the spring and summer. Preserving the plants through the colder months will ensure they can return to their original condition. You can also use some of the suggestions in the next section to keep them greener longer.

People often use hedges as fences and privacy boundaries. This becomes a significant issue if the hedges dry and fall apart when they get too cold. Below, I’ll explain how you can protect your hedges from freezing temperatures every winter.

How to Prevent Hedges from Freezing in Winter

To prevent hedges from freezing in winter, follow these instructions:

1. Overwater the hedges in late autumn. Adding extra water will prevent the leaves from getting too dry. Plants often freeze and dry out during the winter because they can’t absorb as much moisture. The water slows down and the soil gets too compact for the stems and roots.
2. Add a fresh layer of mulch, topsoil, or compost at the base of the hedges. These soils act as insulation, preventing the roots, stems, and leaves from freezing. They also help future growth, nutrient absorption, and water retention.
3. Place a cloth sheet over the hedges and cover the sheet with a plastic layer. The plastic sheets retains as much warmth as possible, while the cloth cover creates warmth from filtered sunlight. It’s important to use the cloth cover since the plastic sheet can stick to the frozen hedges.
4. Wrap the hedges in burlap to insulate them without restricting the air flow. Try the CleverBrand Burlap Plant Cover. This burlap material is a 12 x 40-foot sheet that covers almost any hedge. You can get it multiple sizes, too. It provides shade during the summer and warmth in the winter.
5. Remove nearby weeds as much as possible. Invasive plants take the much needed soil, water, and sunlight from your hedges. It’s hard enough for the hedges to survive the cold temperatures. Remove the weeds by hand and prevent them from growing back if possible.

Almost all plants can freeze, which causes them to dry and fall apart. In fact, freezing is one of the major reasons your black mondo grass dies, herbaceous shrubs shed their leaves, etc. Use these tips and tricks to keep all of your plants thriving in the winter.