What should I be doing in the garden in winter?

Winter can seem like a time when not much is happening in the garden but there is plenty to do.  Check out the suggestions below.

Pruning makes perfect

Roses - climbing roses can be trimmed in December and shrub roses should be trimmed in February.

Clematis - Group 3 clematis flower in mid-late summer. Prune in February by cutting the plant down to the lowest pair of healthy buds 15-30cm above the ground to remove long, old growth and encourage strong flowering shoots.

Wisteria - in December - cut summer trimmed stems back.

Fruit bushes - Autumn fruiting raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants and gooseberries can all be cut back.  
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Many deciduous shrubs should be cut back in Winter including Cotinus (smoke bush), Forsythia, Syringa, Magnolia, Berberis, Cotoneaster, ornamental pear and Sambucus (cut Sambucus to a framework of branches 30cm from the ground).  Remove older stems.

Leave some perennials until the spring - their stems will provide homes and food for wildlife.

Planting perfection

Winter can be a great time to plants new shrubs and trees so long as the soil is not frozen and temperatures are above 4 degrees and not falling below that.  It is a great time to plan your new garden for the year ahead and take advantage of reduced nursery plant prices!

Contact me if you would like help choosing your new plants.  I LOVE PLANTING THIS TIME OF YEAR!  There is so much optimism about investing in new plants for a new look garden.