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If dry, water evergreens thoroughly before the ground freezes. This will help limit damage from winterburn.

Protect woody ornamentals from rabbit damage in the winter by enclosing them in a circle of chicken wire or hardware cloth. Some plants, which are favored by rabbits in the winter include: small common witchhazel, fothergilla, burningbush, flowering quince, smaller Korean or Japanese maple, Canada hemlock, Japanese kerria and clethra.

When you mow your lawn for the last time drop your mowing height 1/2". At least the first mowing of the season should also be at this height.

Younger arborvitae with multiple trunks should be loosely tied together with old pantyhose. Pantyhose are less noticeable in color, provide some flexibility and will deteriorate if not removed as they should be in spring.

Perennials planted late in the year or new plantings of evergreen groundcovers such as: vinca, pachysandra and wintercreeper, can benefit from having evergreen boughs placed over them after the ground freezes.


Common buckthorn, an invasive Asian plant species, will eventually take over an area of native plant populations. The easiest time to remove common buckthorn is from Thanksgiving through early December. Common buckthorn is the only deciduous plant still holding their green leaves and can be easily spotted. Choose a day when the temperature is above freezing. First, saw the stems off flush with the ground, and then, while the cuts are still fresh apply a mixture of 4 parts water to 1 part Round-Up concentrate with a paintbrush. In fall, the kill rate is very close to 100% as the plant naturally translocates sap to its roots. The herbicide is carried along to the root zone. For more information about Common and Glossy Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica and Rhamnus frangula) visit: http://dnr.wi.gov/invasives/fact/buckthorn_gloss.htm

In any endeavor, quality comes from careful planning. If you are in need of a professional landscape design, this is a great time to schedule an appointment with one of Johnson's Nursery, Inc. designers or architects. During this more relaxed time of the year, our designers can take a little more time with the design process. This also allows you, the client, more time to make your decisions.