Homeowners spend a lot of money on attractive shrubs to enhance their landscaping. They plant them, add fertilizer and water, but how many take the time to protect their green investments over winter?

Evergreens are hardy plants that can deal with light snow and cold weather, but heavy snow or extreme temperatures can kill or damage young shrubs. Right about the time you'll be decorating your house for the holidays, you should be thinking about tucking in your evergreens for the winter.

Here are some tips for shielding your young plants from the elements and helping to ensure they come back in the spring, healthier than ever:

An Ounce of Prevention - Just as humans take vitamin C to build up their immune system, shrubs also do better with added nutrients before facing a long cold winter. In late fall give them a shot of phosphate and potassium (not nitrogen) based fertilizer. Studies show that plants that have received an extra nutrient boost, have a better chance of surviving the winter.

In addition to feeding, spray your plants with an anti-desiccant that is similar to applying a thin layer of wax. This will help to protect tender leaves against wind burn and moisture loss. For exceptionally young plants, also apply the spray on the bottoms of the leaves. The solution will wear down, so best to apply a second coat in mid winter.

Wind Damage - Evergreen shrubs less than half a year old need protection from strong winds which can dry them out and cause winter burn. Place stakes in the ground around the tree, and staple burlap to the stakes to create a wind cover. Never use plastic material to cover your plants. It's a sure fire way to risk smothering a plant, or building up humidity and icy conditions.

Snow & Ice - To protect tall narrow shrubs from snow build up that can cause their delicate branches to snap, simply wrap the trees with twine creating a tight pillar shape. For evergreens planted under an eaves, build a reusable A-frame cover to protect from falling icicles or melting rainwater that can later turn to ice.

Frost Damage - The heaving of the ground caused by repeated freezing and thawing, can cause delicate shrubs to uproot and inhibit root development. Keep the soil warm by adding 2 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the plant. Some people like to completely cover small shrubs with leaves and other compost material. Ensure you do this once mice are no longer active, or you risk creating a home and food source for a family of rodents over the winter.

Salt Damage - Guard against salt damage from winter road salts or proximity to the ocean with a solid fence or burlap wind block, or by using the above mentioned anti-dessicant spray.

In the spring, if your plants have suffered some winter damage, prune it away, water and fertilize your shrubs to give them a hearty start for the new season.