Mid-spring
Seed sowing must go on, because a late start can
spoil the display in the flower garden. Cut back
straggly, evergreen shrubs to encourage new growth
from the base. If cold winds persist, shield newly
planted shrubs with screens.
TREES
AND SHRUBS
Prune hardy fuchsias, buddleias and other shrubs
which flower on current season’s growth
to two or three buds from base.
Prune hydrangeas whose flower heads were retained
for winter display.
Plant bare-rooted evergreens as long as the ground
is moist, but only plant deciduous trees and shrubs
if they are containerised.
Continue the layering of shrubs begun in early
spring, and layer camellias, rhododendrons and
other acid-loving evergreens.
Prune early flowering shrubs, such as forsythia,
as the flowers fade.
CLIMBERS
Tie in young shoots of large-flowered clematis
hybrids to prevent them breaking in windy weather.
Handle them carefully – they break easily.
ROSES
Complete all pruning by mid-season and lightly
rake a rose fertiliser into the surface soil.
Mulch with well-rotted farmyard manure or garden
compost when the ground is moist.
Plant roses only if they are containerised, and
conditions are frost-free.
Tie in new growth on climbing and rambling roses.
HERBACEOUS PERENNIALS
Finish dividing and replanting clumps of late
summer to autumn perennials such as asters,
rudbeckia,
monarda and Schizostylis
coccinea.
Stake tall-growing plants such as delphiniums
and Michaelmas
daisies at an early stage of growth.
ALPINES
Plant any alpine plants now and they will quickly
establish themselves.
WATER AND BOG PLANTS
If it is a reasonably mild season, plant aquatic
plants, such as water lilies; otherwise postpone
this job until late spring.
BULBS, CORMS AND TUBERS
Deadhead spring bulbs but leave foliage for a
minimum of six weeks or until foliage yellows.
Plant nerine bowdenii
for autumn flowering.
ANNUALS AND BIENNIALS
Plant out and stake spring-sown sweet
peas.
Complete indoor sowings of half-hardy annual seeds.
Continue sowing hardy annual seeds in open garden
when soil conditions permit.
LAWNS
Apply selective weedkillers if necessary.
Mow at least once a week, gradually lowering the
blades to about ½ in.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
Hoe to remove all weeds to prevent them seeding
and taking nutrients from other plants.
Next:
Late Spring
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