Ask Annie- Assessing Winter Plant Damage
Posted by Annie Algren on Apr 12th 2026
How do I tell the difference between winter damage and plants that just haven’t woken up yet? -Ethan in zone 4a Hey Ethan- If some of your perennials look dead in April, you’re not alone. Most of our plants this time of year are still waking up, especially if you are writing from zone 4a!
How do I tell the difference between winter damage and plants that just haven’t woken up yet?
-Ethan in zone 4a
Hey Ethan- If some of your perennials look dead in April, you’re not alone. Most of our plants this time of year are still waking up, especially if you are writing from zone 4a!
April often brings a handful of warm, sunny days that are great for our winter woes, and our gardens! The sun may feel warm on our face, but it takes time for the frozen ground to thaw. Give your plants some time to soak up that heat too! Remember, they probably have just as much cabin fever as you!
Before you cut anything back or give up hope, look closely at the base of the plant; green nubs, reddish buds, and firm crowns are all good signs of life! A good rule of thumb is to wait until you see 2-4 inches of new growth before you cut back the old. This will ensure that new growth is protected from late frosts, and you don’t accidentally cut off something you don’t mean to! You can also try the scratch test on woody perennials or shrubs by gently scraping the bark with your fingernail. If the exposed scratch is green it's alive, and brown/dry means that section is dead. It is normal to have some winter die off, so do this test all the way down to the base of the plant. It is likely the plant still has life somewhere!
Now, there may be a few spots in your garden that seem especially late to the party; ornamental grasses, hibiscus, butterfly weed, russian sage, and many native perennials can look completely lifeless well into spring. Mark their spots and give them time!
April gardens in Minnesota are an exercise in patience. When in doubt, wait another week or two before making any big moves. You might be surprised how much wakes up once the soil does! Try top dressing your soil with a little bit of Purple Cow Compost while you wait. This will give those slow risers an extra nutrient boost once they get going.
And remember, gardening is never about perfection, it’s about curiosity, patience, and perserverance! I’m cheering you on as you try new things, learn from the missteps, and celebrate each little success. Until our next chat, happy gardening and keep growing!
-Annie
Have a perennial issue, mystery, or design dilemma? Annie can help!
Always approachable and happy to help!