Let’s hope that by the time you settle down to read this, the good weather will have arrived. I don’t want to wax lyrical about Spring, but I think you will agree, this is a great time of year, always full of promise. I always think that March is a 50/50 month whereby, once we are able to get back into the garden, half our time is spent tidying up after last year which automatically is preparation for the new one.
This is a good time to trim back deciduous shrubs such as Buddleia, Cornus, Spiraea, Weigela, etc. Also take the opportunity to trim Ericas and Lavenders. Obviously by trimming one will also be re-shaping for the coming season – I like it – two jobs in one!
Now is also a good time to divide and replant hardy perennials. Dictionary definition: ‘Perennial – Living for more than two years’. Some catalogues list these as herbaceous but the dictionary definition of Herbaceous is – ‘Pertaining to herbs’. Therefore, we could say that Rosemary for instance is a herbaceous perennial, but it isn’t, Rosemary is a shrub, incidentally belonging to the Mint family! Horticulture is indeed a wonderful world with a quirky sense of humour.
If you’re still with me Astilbe Campanula, Hardy Geraniums, Grasses and many others can be divided now along with Hostas. Hostas, however, are best left in situ. – just gently tease the soil away from the crown and slice through the plant with a knife, removing just half of the crown. This can then be divided and potted or replanted elsewhere.
Large flowered Clematis can be pruned now. Cut back to about 120cms (4ft) and the new blooms will flourish where you can best appreciate them and not in next door’s garden!
Writing of climbers reminds me of one of my personal favourites that is well-loved the world over – Wisteria. Even though now is the time to be choosing and planting new additions to your garden, it is worth waiting for Wisteria until May. This is because you really need to select one that is already in bloom, as if raised from seed you may have a long wait before it eventually blooms.
Just a reminder here, if you have over-Wintered your Dahlias and Chrysanths, now is the time to take cuttings and please don’t trim the hedge for a while, whilst the birds are nesting.
May I suggest that when the lawn is dry enough to mow, walk over the area first to remove any rubbish and raise the cutting height for the first cut.
So Spring is sprung and now the real work commences – bet you can’t wait for the next instalment!
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
You must log in to post a comment.