Gardening expert shares 4 plants to prune now for the most beautiful summer garden
Now spring has arrived, a gardening expert shared her top tips for creating a beautiful garden.
Gardening guru Hannah Rowson, based at gardening centre J.Parker's, shared pruning pointers to watering wisdom to help people create a lovely garden.
Hannah advised: "Taking the time in spring to prepare your garden for the hotter months will allow you to enjoy your garden to the fullest."
She suggested: "Give your borders and flower beds some tender loving care by getting rid of any large stones (unless they're there for decorative purposes, of course) and trimming the grass around the border edges to keep it nice and neat."
For those looking to beat future water woes, Hannah has a nifty tip up her sleeve: "Water butts can make all the difference during a dry summer.
"So, invest in one to collect rainwater throughout spring in time for the hotter months. If you're strapped for space, you can try wall mounted, compact butts instead."
Plants and shrubs to prune in spring
Hannah listed the shrubs and plants that now require pruning, which includes perennials and spring and summer-flowering shrubs.
1. Summer-flowering shrubs
These sun-loving beauties should be pruned back to the ground now to ensure a bounty of blooms in the warmer weather.
2. Ornamental grasses
Give ornamental grasses like miscanthus a good chop back to the earth as spring dawns. Clear away dead foliage but leave those fresh green shoots alone.
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3. Spring-flowering shrubs
Shrubs that produce flowers from the previous season's growth benefit from being cut back slightly after they've flowered to keep them in tip-top shape. Weigela and winter-flowering Jasmine are great examples of plants that will benefit from this.
4. Perennials
If you didn't cut back herbaceous perennials in autumn, then it can also be done in spring the following year. Remove seedheads, old stems and browning leaves with sharp secateurs. Put cuttings in your compost heap or in the green waste bin - if you have one.
What to plant in spring
Hannah said: "Spring is the perfect time for planting summer-flowering bulbs. Some bulbs, such as dahlias for example, may need starting off in a greenhouse or indoors.
"But many bulbs, such as gladioli and lilies can be planted straight into flower beds and containers outdoors. Plenty of seeds such as cabbage and lettuce can also be sown in spring too."
When to water plants in spring
Hannah said: "In general, if your plant's soil is dry to touch, it's worth giving them a good drink of water. However, throughout spring, there may be a few exceptions."
Hannah added: "If you've planted spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils, then watering often could do more harm than good.
"Spring is often a wet season, and it rains more than the sun shines. Since spring bulbs don't like to be in soggy soil, watering them if it's already rained could damage them and stop them from flowering the following year."
Hannah noted: "For bulbs, we suggest watering them only if the soil is dry to touch - for example, if it's been quite warm for over a week. This may differ from other plants, though, so double check your growing instructions per plant for watering advice."
