March Trees and Shrubs (2024)

Continue pruning any late flowering climbers andshrubs that flower on last year's shoots. Apply a generalfertilizer and mulch around the roots of plants toretain moisture. Check existing supports on establishedclimbers, and tie in new growth. Continue protectingdelicate shrubs from late frosts.

Although early flowering Camellia arefairly hardy plants, the flowers and buds can sufferfrom frost damage. This can be exacerbated by earlymorning sun, which causes distortion of the leavesand browning of the buds. So if you have east facingplants and frost is forecast, secure some horticulturalfleece over them to protect the buds, then remove itin the morning once the temperature has risen.

Trees and Shrubs to Plant in March

March is the end of the planting season for deciduousand bare-rooted trees and shrubs. Although containergrown stock can be planted virtually all the year round.Evergreens and conifers can be planted now, as wellas the more delicate grey or silver-leaved shrubs suchas artemisia, lavender, rosemary and santolina.

Planting Climbers

Climbers can be incorporated now to brighten upa wall or fence. Preparethe soil and fix any supports in place before planting.Provide a trellis for plants with twining growth, orwires for a climber that clings naturally with tendrils.A bushy climber, such as a rose, can be tied-in toa trellis or fence. For annual climbers, a simple lightweightmesh can be used or a wig-wham made from canes.

Check that your planting position is not near drainsor soak-aways, as the climber's deep roots could causeproblems later on. If you are planting against a wall,position the planting hole well away from the baseof the wall, so its roots can find moisture.

Planting Bare Root and Container Grown Trees

Container-grown trees can be planted at any timeof the year, so long as soil conditions are good. Barerooted trees must be planting during the dormant season.Evergreen trees have slightly different requirements,as they are never dormant in the way a deciduous treeis, so an April or autumn planting suits them best.

Bare-rooted trees should be planted as follows:

1. Soak the roots and trim away any that are broken or too long.
2. Dig a hole that is twice the diameter of theroot ball. Sprinkle a handful of general purpose fertiliser(suitable for shrubs and trees) in the planting hole.
3. Hammer a support stake in at an angle facing theprevailing wind.
4. Position the tree with the root union 2in (5cm)above soil level.
5. Mix some well rotted manure or garden compostinto the backfill soil. Cover the roots with soil andshake it down between the roots to prevent air pockets.
6. Tie the tree to the stake.
7. Tread the soil around the base to firm it and apply a mulch.

Container-grown trees, and trees such as conifers, which are often sold root-balled in sacking, should be planted as follows:

1. Dig a hole slightly deeper and twice as wide as the container or root ball.
2. Fork over the bottom of the hole and incorporatewell rotted manure or garden compost into the soil.Sprinkle a handful of general purpose fertiliser (suitablefor shrubs and trees).
3. Hammer a stake in at an angle facing the prevailing wind.
4. Soak the roots thoroughly in water, then carefully remove the container or sacking.
5. If the container doesn't come away easily, cut it down both sides and slide the plant out.
6. Do not disturb the roots of container grown or root-balled trees, though any roots wrapped round the inside of the container should be gently teased out.
7. Position the tree in the hole and return the topsoil or mixture of topsoil and compost, firming as you go.
8. Tie the tree to the stake.
9. Tread the soil around the base to firm it and apply a mulch.

Keep the newly planted tree well watered and weededfor the first growing season.

Trees and Shrubs to Prune in March

Flowering shrubs that will flower on the coming season'sgrowth should be pruned now. This includes shrubs that flower after about midsummer, such as: buddleia, late flowering ceanothus, clematis, hardy fuchsias,hebes and hydrangeas.

Pruning roses

If they were not pruned at the end of February,all remaining roses, except ramblers, should be prunednow. Shrub roses will only need tidying up, by removingany old and diseased branches. Hybrid tea roses shouldbe cut back to within 6-12in (15-30cm) of the ground,to encourage strong new flower-bearing shoots to form.Any damaged, crossing, and weak branches should beremoved completely. Floribunda roses should be treatedthe same, except that the branches are pruned backless severely, to around 1-2ft (30-60cm). Varietiesof climbing rose can be pruned by retaining all themain branches, which should be tied-in to the supports,whilst any side shoots need to be cut back to lessthan 6in (15cm) long.

Pruning winter flowering shrubs

Winter flowering shrubs should be pruned as soonthe flowers have faded, to give them enough time toregrow and produce strong shoots ready for next winter.The best known examples are winterjasmine, witch-hazel,winter-flowering viburnums,winter-sweet (Chimonanthus)and flowering heaths (Ericas).

Prune winterjasmine by tying-in all the long shoots thatyou want to retain, and cutting back to a few inchesall the others that have flowered.

Shrubs grown for their winter coloured stems shouldbe cut hard back to the first bud, within about 2in(5cm) of the old wood. These include: the dogwoods Cornusalba, Cornus stolonifera'Flaviramea', the coloured stemmed willows Salixalba and the white-stemmed bramble, Rubusco*ckburnianus.

Feeding Trees and Shrubs

Roses and shrubs should be given a top dressingof a general purpose fertiliser earlyin the month, to encourage strong new growth and flowers.A wide range of specialised rose and shrub foodsare available, in both pellet and powered form. Although, good old fashioned "blood, fish and bone" ororganic chicken manure pellets are just as good.

Takespecial care if you have dogs as they are very likelyto dig up and eat strong smelling manures, so chooseone that is safe for dogs and/or keep them out ofthe garden.

Give Camellia, Rhododendron andPieris an ericaceous liquid feed now, andagain in early summer. Especially if the young leavesare prone to yellowing.

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