Gardening tips for January 2012
The star plant shining out in my garden this month is a witch hazel. On the plus side for these fabulous winter-flowering plants, spidery blooms of yellow, red or interesting burnt sugar shades burst out of rounded buds right now, showing up against bare branches. Just when you thought nothing would happen in the garden until spring, they suddenly burst into life and the flowers are fragrant. A sweet, spicy scent is pumped out into the air all around the shrub or small tree, strong enough to turn heads. A further bonus comes in autumn when the large leaves turn a yellowy orange before falling.
So what could be the problem? Only that witch hazels are almost always grafted and tend to be slow growing. Time spent in the nursery is reflected in price – you may find they are more expensive than some other shrubs and they can be frustratingly slow to take off once planted out. They are also a bit fussy and won’t grow just anywhere. To make sure a new witch hazel thrives, you must picture a woodland situation. In nature, taller trees would protect them from wind and scorching sun, while soil rich in leaf mould would hold water without becoming waterlogged. So avoid exposed, badly drained sites and look instead for a sheltered, lightly shaded position. Ours grown against the north facing wall of our house, where it is protected from winds whipping up from the sea and remains cool in summer.
'Everything comes to those who wait’ as the old saying goes and witch hazels are definitely worth it. My New Year’s resolution is to plant another one. We already have the common yellow Hamamelis mollis and I rather fancy H. x intermedia ‘Diane’, generally thought to be the best of the reds. Or classic, classy ‘Jelena’ whose flowers are copper-coloured.
While on the subject of resolutions, more should definitely be made. Mine are as follows:
- To keep on top of the weeds in the kitchen garden.
- Remember the adage ‘Grow five well instead of ten badly’.
- Put tools away after use.
- Edge the lawns at least every other time they are mown.
- Feed potted plants more diligently. A Friday feeding day routine would be a good plan.
In the meantime, here’s what we should be getting on with this month
……in the kitchen garden
-
Plant a grapevine to grow up a pergola or wall in a sunny spot. Suitable cultivars for outdoors include ‘Siegerrebe’, ‘Strawberry’ and ‘Lakemont Seedless’. - Make sure sprouts, kales and broccoli are covered to protect them against pigeons. These birds are very hungry now and can cause a lot of damage.
- Cover beds with polythene to warm the soil up and improve texture ready for sowing or planting broad beans.
……in the flower garden
-
Cut long stems of viburnum, winter honeysuckle, winter jasmine and forsythia in bud, set them in vases of water and the buds will open in warm rooms. - Tie in any shoots of wisteria needed to improve the framework. Then cut long sideshoots back to short 8cm (3in) long spurs.
- Plant new trees as long as the soil is neither waterlogged or frozen. Tall ones will need securing to a short stake.
……and in general
-
Clean tools and wipe blades and tines with an oily cloth to save them from rusting. Oil moving parts of wheelbarrows. - Check tree ties to make sure they have not tightened on stems and trunks, constricting and distorting the wood.
- Clean the leaves of house plants such as monstera and clivia as they’ll need all the light then can get.
Q and A
Q:
We have a wood fire. Can I use the ash on the garden?
A: Your ash will add potash to plants like strawberries and other soft fruit to help them flower and fruit well. Apply it fresh, as ash loses its nutrients if left in a heap outdoors. You need to scatter and lightly fork in a good dressing, because the potash level is not particularly high. Alternatively, spread in layers on your compost heap.
Q:
Which alpines would you recommend for my rock garden?
A: Medium-sized plants are easier to look after than the very tiny ones (I’d put them in alpine sinks). How about aubrieta, snowy white Iberis, erodium (like small hardy geraniums), pasque flowers and alpine phlox.
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