Question
We have foxtail ferns that were out in the last Houston freezes. They are now dry and yellow. Are they dead or should I cut them back? We also have waist-high green grasses that sometimes make small white flowers. We have always called them Japanese irises, but I am not sure if that's correct. When should these be cut back? How much should I leave on the plant? THANKS!

Answer
Hi Allison, it is very difficult to help people with cold damaged plants, without actually seeing the extent of the damage; ordinarily however, the dieback is surface damage only and new growth often emerges from the roots. Wait and be patient with your grasses and ferns and if they are still alive, new growth will emerge from the roots, but it often takes a Month or so into the Spring before this happens. In the mean time, it is fine to prune all the dead material off. Nick