This is the best time of year to prune, especially to rejuvenate old shrubs, or shrubs that have been sheared to the point that there is little or no growth on the inside of the plant.
Fortunately, most evergreens and flowering shrubs respond exceptionally well to hard pruning (18-24"), if done at this time of year. Some of these include: loropetalum, abelia, azalea, gardenia, hydrangea paniculata, buddleia (butterfly bush). In some cases you will sacrifice blooms (azaleas, for instance), but you will be returned with a much fuller bush within 4 to 9 months, and many more blossoms the following year.
If you have mophead hydrangeas (macrophylla), prune off the dead wood at this time. Oakleaf hydrangeas do not respond well to hard pruning. Neither do junipers.
Many hollies are attacked with hedge shears on a regular basis. Thinning these shrubs to the 'almost naked' stage allows them to regrow quickly, thickly and beautifully.
Of course, there is a right way and a wrong way to have success...absolutely clean, quality pruners to start with; Cut above the eye or bud swell. Always cut the angle away from the bud. If you are trying to keep your shrubs from extending out into the sidewalk, be sure your cuts angle up to the interior or side of plant, not toward the walkway.
Visual instructions:
http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/pruning_shrubs.htm
Or, you can always call Georgia GardenScapes to provide this horticultural service for you!
Snip, snip,
Lyn
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A little reward in the middle of winter
It's nice to know that an effort begun several months ago has provided a reward in the bleak days of February.
This year I chose an Amaryllis with a fun color scheme. It reminds me of the pinwheels spinning in the wind from my childhood!
I hope it brings you a smile as well...
Lyn
Friday, February 5, 2010
Rainy days and Fridays....
Lots and lots of rain this Winter! The good news is the water table will be high, for awhile.
As you putter around the garage or shed (waiting for a MUCH better day to get into the yard work), think about what all this rain is doing for (to) your plants. The ground is loosening up for one. That can be beneficial. But there are signs I want you to look for that may need addressing:
1) Soil washing away from the base of your plant. If you have severe run-off in any areas, check that the upper roots are being exposed from repeated rain wash. If so, add some dirt, pack in lightly and remulch these areas.
2) Yellowing of leaves on evergreen plants. The repeated and mass volume of rain we have had has washed away loads of nutrients. Plants are suffering as a result. It will be doubly important that you add compost or fertilizer (preferably organic!) to your plants soon, so the roots can use this to boost the nutrients for production of Spring flowers and general growth.
The other good news is that February is typically our highest month of rainfall in the year. Drier days should be just around the corner!
From the indoors,
Lyn
As you putter around the garage or shed (waiting for a MUCH better day to get into the yard work), think about what all this rain is doing for (to) your plants. The ground is loosening up for one. That can be beneficial. But there are signs I want you to look for that may need addressing:
1) Soil washing away from the base of your plant. If you have severe run-off in any areas, check that the upper roots are being exposed from repeated rain wash. If so, add some dirt, pack in lightly and remulch these areas.
2) Yellowing of leaves on evergreen plants. The repeated and mass volume of rain we have had has washed away loads of nutrients. Plants are suffering as a result. It will be doubly important that you add compost or fertilizer (preferably organic!) to your plants soon, so the roots can use this to boost the nutrients for production of Spring flowers and general growth.
The other good news is that February is typically our highest month of rainfall in the year. Drier days should be just around the corner!
From the indoors,
Lyn
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
A break in the weather!
When we get a beautiful, sunny warm day in February (like today!), it's the perfect time to clean out the clutter that has collected in the garden since late fall.
Rake back old mulch and particularly be sure to clean out the piles of leaves that tend to accumulate around the base of your plants. This wet and slimy area is the perfect place for bugs to hide and disease to develop.
While the surface is bare, throw down some organic fertilizer or compost - working it into the soil a bit, if you have time. The torrents of rain we've had this winter have washed away a lot of plant nutrients and they are hungry! Your plants will reward you with abundant growth in March and April.
Don't forget to add fresh mulch (2-3 inches) to protect from the frost that we know will return -- likely a few more times before April 15. Then we should be safely out of the woods from freezing temperatures.
More on pruning next week - February 15 is my kick-off date for spring pruning.
Snip, snip!
Lyn
Rake back old mulch and particularly be sure to clean out the piles of leaves that tend to accumulate around the base of your plants. This wet and slimy area is the perfect place for bugs to hide and disease to develop.
While the surface is bare, throw down some organic fertilizer or compost - working it into the soil a bit, if you have time. The torrents of rain we've had this winter have washed away a lot of plant nutrients and they are hungry! Your plants will reward you with abundant growth in March and April.
Don't forget to add fresh mulch (2-3 inches) to protect from the frost that we know will return -- likely a few more times before April 15. Then we should be safely out of the woods from freezing temperatures.
More on pruning next week - February 15 is my kick-off date for spring pruning.
Snip, snip!
Lyn
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