Time for Six on Saturday once again. I’m sharing the aftermath of the historic low temperature (28F/-2C) in my South Florida garden. The temperature is about 10 degrees below our normal low. Above is a photo of what looks like a fall garden – this was completely tropical green a week ago.

I have never seen cold damage like this before. The foliage has been burned white. My experience with cold damage is usually foliage is burnt brown, rust or black – not white. I suppose this is a combination of wind and cold.

This is an Adonida Palm (Veitchii merrilli) I am probably on the northern edge of hardiness for this tropical palm. I think it will recover, the center growing point is still green and intact as is the trunk. Some of the trunks of the more exposed palms of this type are bronzing.

This is a Dendrobium orchid growing in the trunk of an avocado tree. Most of my orchids spent the last week in the tub of my second bath, but this one is well rooted into the bark of the tree. I covered it with pillowcases for several days and it seems to be fine. Fingers crossed. The avocado tree is fine.

The Nam Doc Mai Mango wasn’t so lucky. I remember now (too late) the Thai Dessert Mangoes are the least cold hardy of the bunch – but, oh so delicious. I have a bad feeling about this one, though I can tell it is still alive – so far. I have been meaning to plant a late season mango, so this may be my chance.

Super Fireball Neoregelia bromeliads burned white. The more exposed the location, the more fried the plants are. The white damage is still growing a week later. I cannot imagine there is anything to do but trim these off.

Burned foliage on the hopefully indestructible Sea Grape (Coccoloba uvifera) There is going to be a lot of raking to do!

Please share any thoughts about pruning, etc. I haven’t deal with cold damage like this – ever!

Thanks to Jim at GardenRuminations Follow the link to see more garden goings on SOS!