Question
The damage to my palm trees have turned brown all the frowns,the hibicus 2/3 are wilted,and my Ixoria plants have lost all their leaves the crotons have all dried up. This is with covering the Christmas Palms and shrubs everynight with a frost cover. Will they recover? What can I do to help them?

Answer
Hi Byron, right now all the superficial damage is evident, the brown leaves, fronds etc. it is the inner tissue and roots that are important however, if they are still viable, then new growth will eventually emerge, but (as I have told numerous people in the past 2 weeks since this cold front has moved through..)patience is the key here, it is going to take as long as months for new growth to become evident on the damaged plants and you must resist pulling up plants that "appear" dead, for they may or may not be, and only time will tell. Once you notice new growth, then prune back all the dead wood, but wait and see is the recipe for now, water them as needed and hope for the best. Nick