Decorating with fresh-cut evergreens is part of the holiday fun, but if you’re trimming branches in your own garden, prune with care. Cuts you make this winter will affect the shape of your tree or shrub in years to come: a cut just in front of an upward- or downward-growing branch will trigger growth in the same direction next spring. Tip for pruning … [Read more...] about Quick tip: Make kinder evergreen cuts
pruning
Advice on pruning hydrangeas
Even experienced gardeners may hesitate before picking up secateurs to prune their hydrangeas. Some types are pruned now, some later, some rarely — which is which? The timing of pruning depends on the species. Those that bloom on new wood, such as smooth or mountain hydrangea (H. arborescens) and panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), are pruned early. Oakleaf; climbing; and … [Read more...] about Advice on pruning hydrangeas
Gooseberry plants are easy to cultivate
In my family, gooseberries provided everyone with a job: I grew and harvested them, my father topped and tailed them, and my mother turned them into mouth-watering pies and jam. Often thought of as quintessentially English, gooseberries aren’t mentioned in any British documents until the late 13th century, when King Edward I’s fruiterer had bushes imported from France. Their … [Read more...] about Gooseberry plants are easy to cultivate
Blueberry bonanza
If you’re looking for me in August, there’s a good chance you’ll find me beside our highbush blueberry hedge, picking a big bowl of juicy berries. Once relegated to an out-of-the-way spot near the vegetable garden, fruiting perennial shrubs like highbush blueberries are now being recognized for their ornamental value, and being invited to take centre stage in gardens and … [Read more...] about Blueberry bonanza
How to prune roses
Prune your roses properly and they will perform better in appreciation. Here’s how to make your first attempt at rose pruning successful to spur the plant’s growth and reap the rewards of more blooms this season. While there are basic pruning guidelines, such as when to remove dead wood and how to make the right cut, different types of roses often require different … [Read more...] about How to prune roses
