The noticeable rise in temperature and the daffodils emerging seem to be giving everyone I know a much-needed shot in the arm…as well as the one the NHS is giving us! I don’t think I have ever eagerly awaited the spring as much as I have done in the past few months.
After a few hours at the allotment and cutting back the ornamental grasses in my borders, I am also reminded what back ache, hot baths and wine as a relaxant are: all worth it of course! I love designing gardens in Hampshire but there is nothing like getting one’s hands dirty!
On close inspection there are a number of shrubs coming into leaf and even flower - the Daphne being the star of the show. Daphne range from the small varieties only 30 cms tall, to 2 - 3 m high shrubs whose intoxicating scent can be detected from far away. Hard to establish and always looking as if they are too delicate to survive, once they get going, they give the reward of a winter and late spring show and scent.
Daphne mezereum is a popular small variety or go for the tall powerfully scented Daphne bholua Jacqueline Postill if you want to fill a sheltered corner with a winter and early spring stunner. Add plenty of organic matter when planting.
Tasks this month include:
• Mulching your borders with compost or well-rotted manure in order to feed and improve the structure of the soil.
• Keep planting bare-root trees and shrubs but wait until the end of the month before you plant or move evergreens.
• Cut back dogwood and willow shrubs with the vibrant stems if you want them to produce strong colours next winter. Taking them down as far as 100mm (4 inches) from the ground is fine. (The ‘Winter Flame’ varieties should be left for a few years until they are established).
• When the worst of the frosts are over, divide and replant clumps of herbaceous plants that have become too dense for their own good.
• In heavy soil and cold areas, march is the best month for planting roses. Prune bush roses by about a third of their height.
• In preparation for the new growth and flowering in the summer, prune Buddleja, Caryopteris, Ceratostigma, Hydrangea paniculata, Leycesteria, Lavatera, Perovskia and hardy Fuchsia. Look up how far back they should be pruned: this will vary according to what you are trying to achieve and the location of the plant. A general rule of thumb is 80% of their existing foilage.
• Deadhead daffodils when they are over, but leave the foliage on order that the bulbs can be fed.
• Plant and divide snowdrops and winter aconites.
• Plant summer flowering bulbs and sow some seeds such as sweet peas.
• Cut back ornamental grasses, even if they do not look unruly, as this will make way for new growth.
• If the dry weather persists, be prepared to do some unseasonal watering of newly installed plants.
I recently read about the famous Tudor royal gardeners and plant hunting family, the Tradescants. They used to make a growth-promoting liquid fertiliser by leaving comfrey and nettles in still water. This is a practice that survives to this day and is enjoying a resurgence.
How very re-assuring.