Abstract: The invention provides a protective wrap for plants, such as trees, shrubs or flowering plants, comprising a flexible tape backing composed of a water insoluble polymeric sheet suited for being wound into a roll or dispensed as cut sheets. To the backing is applied a homogeneous, hydrophilic, stable matrix. The matrix is hydratable by atmospheric moisture, has a bonding surface which conforms to the contours of the plant, and is sufficiently tacky to hold the tape in place after being wrapped around the plant. The matrix includes a) a liquid phase comprising a non-aqueous polar organic water miscible liquid for plasticizing the matrix, b) a water soluble or water swellable hydrophilic film-forming polymer uniformly admixed with said liquid to form a flexible matrix, and c) a biologically active composition dispersed in the matrix.