Snow and strong winds are on their way to Wisconsin, and gardeners are already worried because some plants simply won’t handle that harsh combo.
Heavy gusts can whip through yards fast, leaving branches bent, leaves torn, and young shrubs looking rough before the storm even peaks.
People are scrambling for burlap because it’s one of the quickest ways to shield vulnerable plants from both the freezing air and the brutal wind.
A little wrapping now can save an entire yard from dealing with windburned leaves and frost damage once the storm finally moves out.
1. Arborvitae
Arborvitae stands tall in many Wisconsin yards, but winter winds can snap its delicate branches like twigs.
Heavy snow piles up on the dense foliage, causing the limbs to bend and sometimes break under all that weight pressing down.
Wrapping burlap around these evergreens creates a protective barrier that keeps harsh winds from drying out the soft green needles during cold months.
Gardeners across Wisconsin know that arborvitae without protection often turn brown by spring, looking damaged and unhealthy after facing brutal winter conditions.
Start at the bottom and wrap the burlap upward in a spiral pattern, securing it with twine at several points along the way.
Make sure the fabric isn’t too tight, allowing the plant to breathe while still providing adequate shelter from the elements outside.
Remove the burlap once temperatures stay consistently above freezing and strong winds have passed, usually in early spring when danger subsides completely.
2. Boxwood
Boxwood shrubs add beautiful structure to garden beds, but Wisconsin winters can turn their glossy leaves brown and brittle without proper care.
Cold winds pull moisture from the foliage faster than roots can replace it, leaving the plant stressed and vulnerable to permanent damage over time.
These popular shrubs need burlap screens on the windward side to block the strongest gusts that sweep across frozen yards during winter storms.
Many homeowners in Wisconsin have watched their boxwoods suffer through harsh seasons, only to see them struggle to recover when spring finally arrives again.
Create a simple windbreak by staking burlap on the side where winds hit hardest, giving your boxwood a fighting chance against nature’s fury.
Water the soil deeply before the ground freezes solid, helping roots stay hydrated even when the surface is covered with ice and snow.
Check the burlap periodically to ensure it hasn’t blown loose, adjusting ties and stakes as needed throughout the long winter months ahead.
3. Japanese Maple
Japanese maples bring elegance to any landscape, but their thin bark and delicate branches make them especially vulnerable to Wisconsin’s harsh winter conditions.
Strong winds can snap young branches easily, while rapid temperature changes cause the bark to crack and split in ways that harm the tree.
Wrapping the trunk and lower branches with burlap provides insulation that prevents sunscald, a common problem when winter sun warms bark during the day.
At night, temperatures plummet again, causing the bark to contract rapidly and crack, leaving wounds that take years to heal properly in Wisconsin.
Young Japanese maples under five years old need the most attention, as their tender tissues haven’t developed the toughness of mature specimens yet.
Use soft burlap and secure it loosely around the trunk, avoiding tight wrapping that could trap moisture and encourage rot beneath the protective covering.
Monitor your Japanese maple throughout winter, removing the burlap temporarily during warmer spells to let the tree breathe and prevent overheating problems.
4. Rhododendron
Rhododendrons produce stunning blooms in spring, but winter winds in Wisconsin can damage the flower buds that form the previous summer on branches.
Cold, dry air desiccates the broad evergreen leaves, causing them to curl and brown at the edges when temperatures drop below freezing for days.
These acid-loving shrubs benefit greatly from burlap windbreaks that reduce moisture loss while still allowing air circulation around the dense foliage throughout winter.
Position burlap screens on the north and west sides where winds typically blow strongest, protecting the plant without completely enclosing it in fabric.
Wisconsin gardeners often notice that protected rhododendrons emerge in spring with vibrant green leaves and abundant flower buds ready to open beautifully.
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base before wrapping, helping roots stay insulated even when snow cover is light or melts away.
Avoid plastic covers that trap condensation and create humidity problems, sticking with breathable burlap that allows moisture to escape while blocking harsh wind gusts.
5. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas charm us with their massive flower clusters, but certain varieties in Wisconsin need burlap protection to preserve next year’s blooms forming now.
Bigleaf hydrangeas set their flower buds on old wood, meaning buds formed this year will open next summer if they survive winter intact.
Harsh winds and sudden temperature swings can damage these tender buds, resulting in disappointing bloomless plants when warm weather finally returns to Wisconsin gardens.
Wrap the entire shrub loosely with burlap, creating a protective cage that shields buds from wind while allowing the plant to remain somewhat dormant.
Fill the burlap cage loosely with dry leaves for extra insulation, giving the hydrangea a cozy environment that moderates temperature fluctuations during winter.
Remove protection gradually in early spring, watching weather forecasts to avoid exposing the plant too early when late frosts might still threaten tender growth.
Well-protected hydrangeas in Wisconsin reward patient gardeners with spectacular flower displays that make all the winter preparation effort completely worthwhile and satisfying.
6. Yew
Yews provide year-round greenery in Wisconsin landscapes, but heavy snow loads can bend and break their branches, destroying the plant’s attractive shape permanently.
These evergreens also suffer from winter burn when cold winds strip moisture from their needle-like leaves faster than frozen roots can replace it.
Wrapping yews with burlap before the first major snowfall prevents branches from splaying outward under heavy snow weight that accumulates during storms.
Tie the branches gently together with soft twine first, then wrap burlap around the entire plant to create a protective bundle that sheds snow.
Wisconsin homeowners appreciate how this simple technique keeps yews looking neat and healthy, avoiding the sad sight of broken branches come springtime each year.
Foundation plantings of yew especially benefit from protection, as snow sliding off roofs can crush unprotected shrubs with devastating force during heavy winters.
Remove wrapping when spring arrives and snow has melted completely, allowing the yew to spread naturally and resume its normal attractive shape again.
7. Evergreen Azalea
Evergreen azaleas bring vibrant spring color, but Wisconsin winters can damage both their foliage and the flower buds waiting patiently to bloom later.
Unlike deciduous varieties that drop their leaves, evergreen types keep their foliage all winter, making them susceptible to drying winds and freezing temperatures.
Burlap protection reduces winter burn significantly, keeping leaves green and healthy rather than bronzed and damaged by harsh weather conditions throughout the season.
Set up a burlap screen on stakes around the azalea, creating a windbreak without touching the plant directly, which could cause rubbing damage.
Many Wisconsin gardeners have learned that protected evergreen azaleas bloom more profusely in spring, with vibrant flowers covering healthy green foliage beautifully.
Water thoroughly before the ground freezes, ensuring roots have adequate moisture reserves to support the leaves that continue transpiring throughout winter months ahead.
Check protection regularly after heavy snowfalls, clearing away any snow that piles against the burlap and might weigh it down onto the plant.
8. Rose Bushes
Rose bushes face serious challenges during Wisconsin winters, with freezing temperatures and harsh winds threatening to damage canes that produce next summer’s beautiful flowers.
Hybrid tea roses and other tender varieties especially need protection, as their canes can freeze solid and turn black, ruining your chances for blooms.
Burlap wrapping combined with mulch mounding creates an insulated environment that moderates temperature swings and prevents the most damaging freeze-thaw cycles from occurring.
Prune roses lightly before wrapping, removing only damaged or diseased canes while leaving healthy growth that will produce flowers when spring arrives in Wisconsin.
Mound soil or mulch around the base first, then create a burlap cylinder around the plant, filling it loosely with leaves or straw.
This technique has saved countless rose bushes across Wisconsin, allowing gardeners to grow varieties that might otherwise struggle in such a challenging cold climate.
Remove protection gradually in spring when temperatures stay consistently above freezing, watching carefully for new growth emerging from protected canes that survived winter successfully.
9. Holly
Holly shrubs add festive beauty with their glossy leaves and bright berries, but Wisconsin winds can desiccate the foliage and cause serious browning problems.
Broadleaf evergreens like holly continue losing water through their leaves all winter, even when roots cannot pull moisture from frozen ground beneath the snow.
Burlap windbreaks reduce water loss dramatically, helping holly maintain its attractive glossy appearance rather than turning brown and crispy during harsh winter months ahead.
Position burlap on the windward side of the plant, creating a barrier that breaks the force of cold winds without completely enclosing the shrub.
Wisconsin gardeners who protect their hollies enjoy vibrant green foliage and abundant berries that brighten winter landscapes when everything else looks dormant and gray.
Anti-desiccant sprays applied before wrapping provide additional protection, coating leaves with a thin film that reduces moisture loss during the coldest periods of winter.
Monitor your holly throughout winter, ensuring the burlap stays secure and hasn’t blown away during storms that sweep across the frozen Wisconsin landscape regularly.
10. Pieris
Pieris shrubs develop their distinctive drooping flower buds in fall, but these buds need protection from Wisconsin’s brutal winter winds to bloom successfully.
Cold winds and temperature fluctuations can damage the tender buds, resulting in fewer flowers or no blooms at all when spring finally arrives later.
These elegant evergreen shrubs also suffer from leaf burn when harsh conditions strip moisture faster than the plant can replace it from frozen soil below.
Wrap pieris loosely with burlap, creating a protective tent that shields the plant while still allowing adequate air movement to prevent fungal problems from developing.
Many Wisconsin gardeners consider pieris worth the extra effort, as its early spring flowers provide welcome color when little else is blooming in gardens.
Place mulch around the base before wrapping, insulating roots and helping them stay functional even during the coldest stretches of winter weather conditions.
Remove burlap in early spring before new growth begins, allowing the plant to receive full sunlight that encourages healthy development and abundant flowering.
11. Dwarf Conifers
Dwarf conifers add year-round interest to Wisconsin gardens, but their compact size makes them vulnerable to being buried and crushed under heavy snow accumulation.
These miniature evergreens also face challenges from drying winds that pull moisture from their needles faster than shallow roots can replace it during winter.
Burlap protection prevents snow damage while reducing wind exposure, helping dwarf conifers maintain their attractive shape and healthy green color throughout the cold season.
Wrap specimens individually or create burlap screens around groups of dwarf conifers, depending on your garden layout and which approach seems most practical.
Wisconsin gardeners who protect their dwarf conifers notice significantly less browning and better overall health compared to unprotected plants exposed to harsh winter conditions.
Stake burlap securely to prevent it from blowing away during storms, checking periodically throughout winter to ensure protection remains in place and effective.
Remove wrapping when spring weather stabilizes, allowing your dwarf conifers to resume normal growth and enjoy the warming sunshine that signals winter’s end finally.