I was wondering if this might be the same this as LSLGuy describes. I saw it in Austria once a few years ago, and then last year just around the corner from me, in London. The plant in question seems to have made a full and healthy recovery this year.
That said, there are some exotic plants used in gardens here that are advised to be protected against winter frosts, but usually using some sort of fleece or straw rather than anything really gauzy.
There was an incident in Wilsonville, OR a few years ago where tens of thousands of bees were killed after some parking lot trees were sprayed to control aphids. They wrapped the trees in guaze after to prevent more bee deaths. I happened to be on a road trip through Oregon at the time and stopped for gas at the nearby Costco. It was very odd to see, like an incomplete render in a video game.
I remember seeing webworms in Illinois when I was little.