WRAL's gardener discusses impacts of freezing forecast

With several days in next week's forecast that will see temperatures drop below freezing, plants that bloomed early will be in danger.

Posted 2:41 p.m. Mar 11, 2017 — Updated 5:39 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

RALEIGH, N.C. — Several days in next week's forecast will see below-freezing temperatures, meaning plants that bloomed early because of warm days this winter will be in danger.

WRAL gardener Tim Grissom says the recent warm weather pushed many plants to blossom three to four weeks early. The tender plants are especially susceptible to the extreme cold heading for the Triangle.

Grissom cares for the WRAL Azalea Gardens on Western Boulevard in Raleigh where many of the plants and flowers have already bloomed. Some still have tight buds on them, which Grissom said should withstand the cold, but other flowers that are farther along might not make it through the frigid nights.

Instead of covering them, Grissom said it's best to cut flowers that are in danger and display them in a house.

Other plants, like blueberry bushes, can be helped with a cover. Some of the warmth already in the ground will help take care of the plants left outside when the mercury drops.

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