December Gardening Jobs
Even though the shortest day is approaching and there could be frost about, the gardener’s jobs are never quite at an end. Gardening at this time of year relies on being able to take advantage of milder spells when the weather is slightly more favourable.
Trees
After the stormy weather of the autumn it’s wise to make a thorough check of any recently planted saplings to ensure they are still securely upright. When replacing tree ties always leave them slightly loose to prevent disturbance from the wind cutting into the stems. Ornamental conifers with delicate drooping branches can sometimes be damaged by severe snowfalls so it can be helpful to bind them with sacking to help them keep their shape. Providing the soil isn’t frozen, this is an ideal month for planting new deciduous trees such as crab apple or mountain ash.
Borders
There can still be the remnants of the summer flowering perennials in the borders. Try to finish cutting them down to ground level before composting the stems. Add generous spadefuls of last year’s compost to the soil and dig in thoroughly to provide nutrients for a dazzling show next year. This is also the chance to plant out tulips in a variety of colours ready for the spring. Wherever there are summer flowering bulbs either lift them for storage or provide a mulch of straw or bark chips. Trim back any overgrown plants in the rockery and complete any displays of winter flowering pansies.
Climbers and Lawns
Climbing plants such as clematis may need attention to ensure that their supporting trellises are secure. Varieties that flower late in the year such as the vigorous jackmanii and viticella clematis can appear so overgrown that they need to be partly pruned at this time of the year before being finished in early spring. If the weather is mild, lawn edges can be repaired by cutting out a piece of turf then turning it round so that the straight side now forms the new edge.
Roses
Rose bushes such as the large-flowered hybrid tea or floribunda that has masses of smaller flowers are available as bare rooted or container grown plants. Both can be planted throughout the winter as long as the soil isn’t waterlogged. Incorporate a large helping of rich humus or manure when planting each bush to give the roots plenty of nourishment. New bushes should not be pruned until next year.
Interesting Plants
Even though the weather might be inclement, there are still interesting plants in the garden. Viburnum tinus with clusters of creamy-white flowers and mahonia japonica with spires of yellow flowers will both be in bloom now until March. Winter jasmine and pyracantha will be full of colourful berries while smaller plants such as the Christmas rose will be flowering throughout the winter months. The lemon flowers of the climbing winter jasmine will add a delicate fragrance which makes it a popular choice around the front door. Visit Garden Club London for more winter design tips.