While winters in Charleston are typically mild, sudden cold snaps and hard freezes can still take a toll on our landscapes. Knowing how to prepare your garden before freezing temperatures arrive - and how to respond once the cold has passed - ​can help prevent long-term damage and encourage healthy recovery. With a few proactive steps and the right aftercare, most Charleston gardens can weather a freeze and rebound beautifully come spring.

​Below are our best tips for protecting your plants and helping them recover when cold weather strikes.

The first - and most effective - ​line of defense against freeze damage is plant selection. Choosing trees, shrubs, and perennials well-suited to the Charleston area (USDA Zones 8b–9a) gives your landscape a strong foundation. The vast majority of plants we grow and stock at Brownswood are selected specifically for our coastal climate.

That said, even hardy plants can benefit from extra protection when temperatures are expected to reach freezing for several hours or more, particularly during sudden cold snaps.

Mulch to Protect Roots
Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base of plants to help insulate roots and regulate soil temperature. Mulch is especially important for newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials that haven’t yet established deep root systems.

Water Ahead of the Cold
If rainfall has been limited, water plants thoroughly 24 hours before a freeze. Focus on watering the root zone, not the foliage. Moist soil retains heat better than dry soil, offering extra protection overnight.

Cover Plants Properly
Use frost cloth, burlap, or even an old bed sheet to cover plants when freezing temperatures are forecast. Covers should:
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• Extend all the way to the ground
• Be secured to trap warmer air
• Be removed once temperatures rise above freezing

Avoid using plastic directly on plants, as it can trap moisture and worsen damage.

Charleston gardeners love tropical flair, but plants like tropical hibiscus, cordylines, and other tender varieties are especially vulnerable to cold. These plants are often treated as seasonal additions with the expectation that they may not survive winter outdoors.
However, some protection is possible:
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• Move container plants into garages, porches, or other sheltered spaces during freezes.
• If containers are too large to move, water them well and cover them carefully.
• Keep in mind that containerized plants are more susceptible to cold damage and may not survive prolonged freezing temperatures - ​even when covered.

Once temperatures rise, patience is essential. Allow ice and frost to melt naturally - ​frozen plant tissue is brittle and can be easily damaged if handled too soon.

Cold injury doesn’t always appear immediately. In fact, symptoms may take several days or even weeks to show.

Common Signs of Freeze Damage

• Wilted, blackened, or brown leaves
• Mushy or collapsed foliage
• Dropped or browned flower buds
• Cracks or splits in bark on shrubs and trees

Clean Up Soft Perennials
For hardy perennials, remove mushy or collapsed foliage once temperatures stabilize to prevent rot and disease.

Hold Off on Pruning Woody Plants
Resist the urge to immediately prune damaged shrubs and trees. Dead or injured wood often protects living tissue underneath. Wait until warmer weather returns and new growth begins to clearly show what is alive.

Prune Later - Not Sooner
Once spring arrives and the risk of additional freezes has passed, prune away dead branches. Pruning too early can stimulate new growth that may be damaged by another cold snap.

Cold snaps can be stressful for both gardeners and landscapes, but with the right preparation and a little patience afterward, most Charleston gardens recover beautifully. Every yard responds differently depending on plant type, age, and exposure, so personalized guidance can make a big difference.

Questions about freeze damage or cold-weather care?
The Nursery Professionals at our Garden Center are here to help. Email us at [email protected], and please include photos if possible so we can provide the most accurate advice for your landscape.

With thoughtful design and expert craftsmanship, Brownswood Nursery & Landscape turned a small, everyday backyard into a sanctuary for outdoor living. What was once a compact, exposed space is now a layered oasis complete with a breezy pergola, built-in stone countertops, and a cozy firepit set atop an oyster shell pad - each detail intentionally placed to create function, beauty, and serenity.

Small yards demand creativity, and this transformation proves that size is never a limitation - it’s an opportunity for innovation. Every element serves a purpose:
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• Vertical interest from the pergola and layered plantings draws the eye upward, expanding the sense of space.
• Lush privacy plantings create a secluded atmosphere even in a neighborhood setting.
• Natural materials - stone, shell, and wood - tie the design to Charleston’s Lowcountry charm.

In tight-knit neighborhoods, privacy is precious. Through thoughtful layout and plant selection, this project created distinct "rooms" within the yard - a dining area, a fireside nook, and soft planting borders that buffer neighboring homes. The result feels open yet intimate - a seamless blend of comfort and elegance.

No matter your yard’s size, our Design and Build teams can help you reimagine it into a space that truly feels like home. From functional outdoor kitchens and cozy firepits to year-round gardens rich with texture and color, we specialize in crafting personalized outdoor sanctuaries.

Ready to transform your landscape?
Book an in-yard design consultation today with an expert design consultant!

Few trees offer as much character and four-season beauty as the Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum). These elegant ornamentals bring sculptural form, bold foliage color, and a touch of serenity to any landscape. Whether you have a shady courtyard, sunny front yard, or patio container, there’s a Japanese Maple that fits beautifully.

Japanese Maples are beloved for their:

• Four-season interest: Bright spring growth, lush summer color, vivid fall foliage, and elegant winter structure.
  
  
• Versatility: Thrive in the garden, along borders, or in decorative containers.
  
  
• Manageable size: Most mature between 6 and 25 feet, perfect for small gardens and patios.
  
  
• Graceful shapes: From upright and stately to weeping and cascading.

Each variety has its own personality. Here are some of our favorites you’ll find at Brownswood Nursery:

Japanese Maples work beautifully as focal points, but they also enhance garden compositions.
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Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
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• Add structure and balance with upright varieties near patios, walkways, or entryways.
  
  
• Create contrast by pairing red-leafed maples with evergreens, variegated hostas, or even colorful annual flowers.
  
  
• Go with flow - plant a weeping type like ‘Tamukeyama’ beside rocks, streams, or ponds for a natural, serene effect.
  
  
• Think container gardens: Smaller forms thrive in pots and can move with the seasons to highlight different spaces.

Japanese Maples are stunning on their own - but they really shine when paired with complementary textures and colors. Try combining them with:

Non-Invasive Clumping Bamboo
Not surprisingly, the delicate and airy texture of bamboo pairs very well with the elegance of Japanese Maples - especially those with red or purple leaves.

Azaleas
Their spring blooms and evergreen foliage provide contrast beneath Japanese Maples.

Hydrangeas
Lush summer blooms pair beautifully with the maple’s refined foliage.

Hostas & Ferns
Perfect companions in shady gardens, adding layers of texture and cool tones.

Evergreens (like Boxwood or Cryptomeria)
Provide year-round structure and a deep green backdrop that makes maple foliage pop.

Ornamental Grasses
Their movement and fine texture balance the maple’s structure for a natural, serene look.

Every beautiful garden starts with a plan - and we make the process fun and easy.
Whether you’re working on a cozy courtyard or a full landscape makeover, we have a service to fit your project size and style.

Visit our garden center to explore these stunning varieties (and more!) in person.
 
From containers to garden centerpieces, Japanese Maples are the ultimate ornamental tree for color, character, and year-round beauty.