“When should I prune my hydrangea?” is one of the most frequently asked gardening questions. At this time of year, although pretty in frost, the old flowerheads can start to look a little, well, scruffy. And the urge to tidy is strong. So can you cut them back now? The answer is maybe... The key is knowing which hydrangea you have . Below is a simple guide to the most common types and and when to prune them. Mophead & Lacecap Hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) These are the c

Now that Christmas is over, I’m looking forward to getting back to work and especially winter pruning, which I love! However, a quick check of the latest forecasts suggest I may need to delay those plans a little. Down here in Banstead, the first full week of January looks to have prolonged periods below freezing, barely reaching 3c in the day and well into minus figures overnight. That means there will be heavy frosts which are unlikely to fully thaw during the day. And whil

Roses have a reputation for being fussy, but in reality they’re tough plants that respond well to a little routine care. One of the simplest ways to keep them healthy and flowering well is to prune them during the winter months. Why Winter Is the Best Time to Prune Roses* 1. The plant is dormant In winter, roses are resting. With sap flow reduced and no new soft growth to damage, pruning causes less stress. You’re working with a quiet plant rather than one in active growth. 2

“Garden Maintenance” is such an over-used term, and I admit, I use it myself. But when I stop to think about it, it doesn’t really make any sense. Maintenance suggests keeping something as is, upholding the status quo. But rarely do gardens stay still. And neither should they in my opinion. They’re not museum exhibits, it’s their growth and evolution that makes them special. I suppose those achingly modern outdoor spaces with ice-white patios and plastic grass might be an exc

I’m not really a lawn-mowing kind of gardener. My skills shine in the beds and borders—planting, weeding, pruning, and caring for plants. Generally, my clients have someone else who handles the lawns and hedges. However, for those with smaller lawns, I do cut the grass. It truly makes a difference in the overall look of a garden. Up to now, I’ve used my clients’ mowers, which tend to be corded electric “Flymo” types. They’re okay, but juggling the extension cable can be a has

Over the last few weeks I've been digging out a Box hedge. What was once a lovely green division between paths and beds had sadly become...

It’s probably worth noting that the majority of your herbaceous perennials and shrubs, probably don’t require winter protection at all. In fact, many of these plants benefit from the cold winter reset as an essential part of their life cycle. Plus the winter chill plays a crucial role in eliminating pests and diseases that thrive during warmer weather. But if you have borderline hardy plants, or it's forecast to be particularly cold, here are some ways you can protect your pl

Everyone’s talking about mulch, but why should you use it? What actually is it? And how should you apply it? In a nutshell, mulch is a...

Winter lawn care is a common concern and while you won’t be mowing in the coming months, there are a few jobs you can do to ensure your...

Autumn is a great time to relocate young foxglove plants to where you want them. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea) are statuesque biennials,...

Until fairly recently I'd only ever thought of wild strawberries as a welcome addition to the garden. In my sunny, dry site they stay...