Shrubs
Can’t wait? Just want to go to our listing of shrubs to buy….
Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica)
Shrub Care: Hints and Tips
Shrubs both evergreen and deciduous, are receiving great attention from all garden lovers these days, and are of the greatest interest and inportance in all gardens, both large and small.
No garden, however restricted in size, is too insignificant to have a little collection of choice flowering shrubs. Don’t forget that many varieties make perfect container plants and look great on your patio or balcony.
Time of Planting:
The best time to plant deciduous shrubs is from the latter part of October to March, provided the weather is open and the soil is not too wet. As a rule of thumb, October is a good time to plant shrubs as the soil is still warm then, and the roots will establish themselves in their new quarters before winter.
Evergreen shrubs should be planted earlier in the Autumn, during September, if possible, or the early part of October. The next most suitable time is during April or quite early in May, even better if may is showery. The purist gardener will try to avoid planting evergreen shrubs in the depth of winter or when strong drying winds prevail.
Planting Shrubs from Pots:
Potted Rose Bush
Shrubs which have been grown in pots for planting out may be planted at almost any time of year. The essential point to attend to is to soak the root ball well before planting, and to disturb the roots as little as possible. If planted during dry summer weather, shading and watering may be necessary, and mulching with decayed leaves, or manure.
Of course many shrub varieties, such as roses, are ideal for permanent display in containers and look great on patios or a balcony.
Transplanting large Shrubs:
When transplanting shrubs of considerable size, a judicious thinning out and reducing the length of the branches should be practised.
Treatment of Shrubs Received During frosty Weather:
The shrubs may be “laid in” in a sheltered part of the garden, or kept in a shed, garage etc and covered with sacking or paper and the roots kept moist until the soil is is in a fit state for planting.
Pruning of Roots before Planting:
All damaged roots should be carefully cut away, the cut pointing upwards. It is always for the better never to plant shrubs without attending to this important point.
Pruning Flowering Shrubs:
The time for pruning flowering shrubs depends on their season of blooming, and whether the bloom is produced on the old or new wood growth. Those shrubs which bear their flowers on the current year’s shoots may be cut back hard, say to within 2 inches (approx. 50 mm) of the old wood. any time from October to the end of February.
Shrubs which flower on the shoots made during the previous summer, should be pruned immediately after flowering. This is very important, so as to enable the plants to produce their new shoots as soon as possible, and for the wood to ripen well before the advent of winter. The flowers will be produced on this newly formed wood the following season.
Contoneaster
Pruning Evergreen Shrubs:
Generally speaking, the only pruning necessary in the case of evergreen shrubs is the trimming of any straggling shoots, and the removal of some of the branches to avoid overcrowding. This is best done in April.
How to Prune:
The object of pruning flowering shrubs is to let in the light and air to enable the wood to ripen fully. Keep the centre open. A sharp pruning knife should be used, or better still, some good quality secateurs with a knife-like cut. A clean cut is important. Begin the cut on the opposite side of the bud to be pruned to, and finish just above the tip of the bud.
Root Pruning:
When flowering shrubs make too much growth at the expense of the bloom, the plants may be taken up, and the roots shortened. In the case of large shrubs, a trench may be dug around the shrub and the roots pruned without the actual removal of the plant from its location. Ram the soil in well after it has been replaced. Firm planting is most important.
Pictures by By J.M.Garg (Golden Trumpet)
