Creeping Fig – Prune After Cold?

Q: We have a lot of creeping fig planted around our house. The cold weather has turned it brown. Does it need to be pruned back or will the new foliage just take over?

A: Creeping fig, Ficus pumila, is sometimes called Charleston ivy because it is commonly seen on walls and steps of homes along the warm Atlantic coast. It’s not typically winter hardy in Atlanta but I’ve seen dozens of gardens here where it finds a warm wall and thrives happily for years. It is fast growing and will quickly cover over winter damage.