Feb19
Iris unguicularis
The fabulous lime green bracts of Helleborus orientalis
Camelia
Winter stems of Cornus ‘Midwinter Fire’
Unusual purple berries of Callicarpa bodinieri
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Garden design in Hertfordshire
Amanda Broughton Garden Design
Feb07
Gardening Tips For February by Amanda Broughton Garden Design
by Amanda on February 7th, 2012 at 6:14 pmPosted In: Uncategorized
Shrubs and Climbers
- Prune winter flowering shrubs that have finished flowering such as Sarcoccoca.
- You can also prune many deciduous summer flowering shrubs at this time of year as they flower on the current years growth. These include Buddleja, which can be cut heavily to almost the ground. Don’t be scared to do this. They will look all the better for the attention, producing lush new growth and flowers at a height you can enjoy. Other shrubs that will benefit from pruning now are Leycesteria, hardy Fuchsia, Perovskia and Ceratostigma
- Shrubs grown for their colourful winter stems such as Cornus and Salix should have about a third of their oldest stems removed annually. Cut right back to the base or main framework. This prevents the plant from getting too tall, and encourages the re-growth of those beautiful stems.
- Prune hardy evergreen hedges such as cherry laurels, yews and conifers. Deciduous hedges such as beech and hornbeam, and native hedges can also be cut back before growth begins.
- Prune Wisteria and Campsis back to two or three buds.
- Cut back summer flowering clematis (group 3) such as the viticella, to the lowest pair of buds, feed them with a slow release fertiliser, and give them a thick mulch.
- Feed and mulch after pruning.
- This is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, bare rooted hedges and roses and to move any deciduous trees and shrubs. However, this should not be carried out if the ground is water-logged or frozen.
Perennials
- Cut back all herbaceous perennials, including grasses that have been left for winter interest. It is important that this is carried out before new growth begins in spring.
- Remove all dead and damaged leaves of evergreen perennials such as Bergenia.
- Feed all perennials with a slow release fertilizer such as fish, blood and bone.
Grasses
- Cut back all deciduous grasses which were left for interest throughout the winter months such as Miscanthus, Calamagrostis and Pannicum.
- Feed with a slow release fertilizer.
└ Tags: cherry laurels, clemetis, cornus, garden design, gardening, Hertfordshire, maintenance, mulch, North London, salix, sarcococca, Wisteria, yew
Dec06
- Last chance to plant Tulips. Although a little late, most bulbs will still flower the following year if planted now, although the flowers may be smaller than usual.
- Continue to clear fallen leaves from borders. If you have room, make your own leafmould by collecting leaves in a mound. These are simple to make with four wooden posts and chicken wire to enclose the leaves. Leafmould is a good soil improver, lawn conditioner and mulch. It can also be used in seed and potting mixes. It will take one or two years for the leaves to break down. To speed up the process, blow the leaves onto your lawn and collect them using the lawn mower before emptying onto the mound. This shreds the leaves, accelerating the process.
- Plant roses.
- Hedges- this is a good time to plant deciduous hedges. They can be bought bare-rooted at this time of year which is extremely cost effective.
- If the weather is mild, you may want to mow the lawn. Ensure that the mower is set to a height of 2-4cm.
- Prune apple and pear trees, but not wall trained specimens which should be trained in late summer.
Nov03
One of my favorite times of year!
I took these photos whilst out walking in Capel Manor Gardens in Enfield last week-end.
Acer ‘Ozakazuki’
The leaves of Acer ‘Osakazuki’ back-lit perfectly in the low autumn sunlight
The red leaves of the Acer create a stunning effect against the yellow leaves of the hornbeam
Oct18
- Finish planting bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils and Alliums
- Start collecting fallen leaves. A quick way t do this is to blow them onto the lawn,then mow the lawn which will shred the leaves. If you have room, make your own leaf mould heap.
- Prune climbing roses
- Many perennials are cut back to ground level as they die back. However, some, such as Sedums and many ornamental grasses are left in place for their interesting winter silouette.
- Many perennials can be lifted and divided at this time of year. Alternatively, wait till spring
- This is a good time of year to mulch beds
- Now is a great time to plant hedging, with many species available bare-rooted, which are considerably cheaper to buy.
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