Spring is in the air

WITH the whiff of Spring in the air, gardeners across Country are bracing themselves for the task of tackling their gardens and beginning the pruning process. Spring can feel like a jolt of pressure for those with gifted green fingers as there is a lot of work to be done in such a short space of time.

While pruning is an essential task, gardeners should not feel wary of the chop. A number of plants require pruning be it roses, fruit, climbers and shrubs. For examples, apples should be pruned in early spring and they should just be pruned moderately and it is important to avoid sharp v-shaped snips.

For rose (climbers) they should be pruned after flowering, and they should be cut half of old growth but keep the new shoots for next year. The ‘rose of Sharon,’ can be pruned all winter as its killed wood begins to swell and grow back to live wood.

The Rhododendron should be pruned after flowering, and it’s important to snip braches from weak, leggy plants to induce good growth from its roots. The Virginia Creeper should be pruned in the Spring and Summer and it’s important to clip young plants freely and to remove the dead growth. Clip young plants freely. Thin old plants and remove dead growth.

For lilac it’s important to prune them after flowering, and to remove the diseased, scaly growth flower heads. For flowering dogwood, it’s important to prune the after flowering and to remove the dead wood only.

For peaches, the best time to prune is early spring, and remove half of lat year’s growth but keep the tree headed low.

There is symbolic meaning attached to trees, for example; Oak is viewed as strength, stability and courage, and also is seen as being marital fidelity and fulfilment.

The Birch is symbolic of new beginnings, renewal and youth. Traditionally birch wood was used to make babies’ cradles, so it is often given as a gift to celebrate the birth of a child.

The apple is associated with immortality, symbolic of beauty, love, generosity and fertility. This is often given as a gift to young couples who move into their first home.

The highly ornamental cherries area popular choice for commemorative trees, but also for celebrating events such as christenings and communions.