Planting and moving
Planting and movingPlant roses, but avoid areas where roses were previously grown as this can lead to problems with replant diseases.
Continue to plant bare-root deciduous hedging plants and trees. Stakes should be put in place before the rootball to avoid damage to the roots.
Move established deciduous trees and shrubs, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
Take note of the most vibrant dogwoods (Cornus), Salix and white-stemmed Rubus shrubs for a display of coloured stems.
Seek out scented winter shrubs, such as Hamamelis ,Sarcococca and Chimonanthus, when visiting gardens open to the public, or in garden centres, and consider planting them for a winter display.
Winter maintenance
Winter maintenanceCheck tree ties and stakes on established plants. Replace, tighten or slacken them where necessary.
Firm back newly planted trees and shrubs if they have been lifted by frost heave or strong winds.
Protect newly planted trees, hedges and shrubs from cold winds and frosts. Erect a temporary netting windbreak if there is no natural shelter. Thick dry mulches will protect the roots from cold, and branches can be covered with straw or bracken, and secured with fleece and ties, to protect them from frost damage. A wooden frame with clear polythene stretched over it does a similar job for evergreens without blocking the light, but don’t let the polythene touch the leaves, as condensation could freeze or cause rots.
If there is snow in your area, then you may need to brush it off the branches of conifers, climbers and light-limbed shrubs and trees. Heavy snowfall can splay branches, break limbs and spoil the shape of the tree.
Remove weeds from around the bases of young trees.
Pruning and training
Pruning and trainingPruning and renovation of many deciduous trees, shrubs and hedges can be carried out from now throughout the dormant season. It is easier to see what you are doing when the branches have no leaves. Suitable examples are: fa*gus (beech), Corylus (hazel) and roses. Exceptions are evergreens and tender plants (best left until spring), and Prunus species (e.g. ornamental cherries, plums and almonds) as these are vulnerable to silver leaf disease when pruned in autumn or winter.
If your trees are too large for you to manage the pruning alone, then you may need a tree surgeon. Otherwise take care not to damage the tree when sawing off thicker branches.
Prune Wisteria - cut back the sideshoots shortened by summer pruning to two or three buds. Avoid cutting off flower buds.
Tie wall shrubs and climbers onto their supports to protect them from wind damage. Ornamental vines, ivy, Virginia creeper and Boston ivy can be cut back now – it’s a good idea to keep them away from windows, doors, gutters and roof tiles.
Propagation
PropagationSeeds of berrying trees and shrubs can still be sown - but be quick, as they need a period of frost to break their dormancy. Examples are Sorbus, Cotoneaster and Pernettya.
Take hardwood cuttings of ornamental shrubs such as Cornus, Salix, Forsythia, Weigela, Escallonia, Rosa, Ribes, Chaenomeles and Elaeagnus. Many deciduous climbers can also be propagated in this way (e.g. Fallopia and Lonicera).
Check hardwood cuttings taken last year. They may need planting out or potting on.
Pest and disease watch
Pest and disease watchBracket fungi on trees is visible at this time of year. If the tree is in poor health it is worth calling in a tree surgeon for a professional opinion.
Put rabbit guards around newly planted trees and shrubs to protect the bark from rabbit damage.
Inspect sick-looking box shrubs and holly trees for signs of blight.
Phytophthora root rots can cause dieback on mature trees and shrubs. Wet winter weather and poorly drained soils are likely to encourage this problem on susceptible woody plants.
Coral spot is often noticed once the leaves have fallen from deciduous hedges, shrubs and trees. This problem can be connected with poor ventilation and congested, un-pruned twiggy growth (as found inside clipped hedges).
Check for damage or cankers on deciduous trees while stems and trunks are readily visible. Prune out torn or damaged branches to prevent disease infection.
As a seasoned horticulturist with years of hands-on experience and a deep passion for gardening, I can confidently share insights on the concepts mentioned in the article about planting and moving, winter maintenance, pruning and training, propagation, and pest and disease watch.
Planting and Moving:
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Replant Diseases: Avoiding areas where roses were previously grown to prevent replant diseases is a well-established practice. This is due to the buildup of pathogens and pests in the soil that can negatively impact the health of new rose plants.
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Bare-root Deciduous Plants: Planting bare-root deciduous hedging plants and trees during this season is a common practice. Stakes are strategically placed before the rootball to prevent damage to the delicate roots during the planting process.
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Moving Established Trees and Shrubs: The timing of moving established deciduous trees and shrubs is crucial. It should be done when the ground is not frozen or waterlogged, ensuring better chances of successful transplantation.
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Winter-Flowering Shrubs: Seeking out scented winter shrubs like Hamamelis, Sarcococca, and Chimonanthus for winter displays is a great way to add interest to a garden during the colder months.
Winter Maintenance:
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Tree Ties and Stakes: Regular checking and maintenance of tree ties and stakes on established plants are essential. Replacing, tightening, or slackening them as needed helps provide proper support.
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Protection from Cold: Protecting newly planted trees, hedges, and shrubs from cold winds and frosts involves various methods such as using temporary netting windbreaks, thick dry mulches, and covering branches with straw or bracken.
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Snow Management: In areas with snow, it's important to brush it off the branches of conifers, climbers, and light-limbed shrubs and trees to prevent damage from the weight of the snow.
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Weed Removal: Removing weeds from around the bases of young trees is a practice to ensure the optimal growth of the trees.
Pruning and Training:
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Dormant Season Pruning: Pruning and renovation of deciduous trees, shrubs, and hedges can be done during the dormant season. This is especially advantageous as it is easier to see the structure of the plants without leaves.
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Exceptions for Pruning: Evergreens and tender plants are best left until spring for pruning. Prunus species are vulnerable to silver leaf disease if pruned in autumn or winter.
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Wisteria Pruning: Proper pruning of Wisteria involves cutting back sideshoots shortened by summer pruning to two or three buds, avoiding cutting off flower buds.
Propagation:
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Seed Sowing: Berrying trees and shrubs like Sorbus, Cotoneaster, and Pernettya can be propagated from seeds. These seeds require a period of frost to break dormancy.
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Hardwood Cuttings: Taking hardwood cuttings of ornamental shrubs and deciduous climbers, such as Cornus, Salix, Forsythia, and Lonicera, is a recommended propagation method during this season.
Pest and Disease Watch:
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Bracket Fungi: Visible bracket fungi on trees indicates potential issues. Consulting a tree surgeon for a professional opinion is advisable, especially if the tree is in poor health.
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Rabbit Guards: Protecting newly planted trees and shrubs from rabbit damage by placing rabbit guards is a preventive measure.
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Blight and Phytophthora: Regular inspection for signs of blight on box shrubs and holly trees, as well as being vigilant about Phytophthora root rots, is crucial. Wet winter weather and poorly drained soils can contribute to these issues.
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Coral Spot: Checking for coral spot on deciduous hedges, shrubs, and trees, especially after the leaves have fallen, is important. This problem is often associated with poor ventilation and congested, un-pruned growth.
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Pruning for Disease Prevention: Inspecting deciduous trees for damage or cankers and pruning out torn or damaged branches helps prevent disease infection.
In summary, following these practices and being attentive to the specific needs of plants during different seasons contributes to a healthy and vibrant garden.
