SPRING FLOWERS ALL READY TO BLOOM – WITH TOM PATTINSON

Things are stirring in the garden as March gathers momentum. Spring flowering shrubs, ribes and forsythia are preparing to bloom whilst a contender for shrub of the month, witch hazel (Hamamelis mollis}, is in full captivating flowering mode. Groups of dwarf narcissi, Hawera, Tetea-tete, and Minnow and Rip van Winkle dot the borders with splashes of gold. A cluster of Crocus Tomassinianus, so short in stature but big in colour and form, were sensibly planted on a raised bed where we can eyeball them comfortably.

Early-flowering herbaceous perennials, ajuga (bugle), pulmonaria (lungwort), and hellebores are emerging with colourful offerings, as a host of young growths rise from others. These are just as exciting to see because they represent potential for propagation from stem cuttings or division. What could be simpler than digging up the whole plant, dividing it into several sections with a spade or gloved hands? Each piece can be replanted with roots and shoots attached. Spring growth is under way and we are running out of time for such operations. The window of opportunity for bare-rooted planting tends to close as spring growth starts at the end of March. There are still herbaceous plants to relocate in this garden but that can occasionally be achieved in early April if growth has not advanced too far, cool weather persists, and we are prepared to monitor their progress.

Suppliers tend to cease lifting bare-rooted trees and shrubs beyond the March deadline so, if you consider ordering at the last minute do check the potential delivery date!

The beauty of pot-grown specimens which are more expensive, is they can be planted any time of year weather permitting and develop a fibrous root system, making the transition from container to planting much easier.