TOP PLANTS FOR SPRING INTEREST

Ceanothus

Excellent evergreen shrub for a sunny site.  Varieties in a range of heights for different parts of the border.  Varieties include:-
C. Thyrsiflorus ‘Repens’ – A low growing, mound forming variety that produces generous quantities of Cambridge Blue flowers in Spring.
C. Griseus ‘Yankee Point’ – This is a compact, medium sized shrub with dark, glossy, evergreen leaves and deep blue flowers.
C. Blue Sapphire – A new variety with dark Sapphire Blue flowers and very dark Purplish-Green foliage.
C. Italian Skies – A vigorous shrub with densely branched small dark Green leaves and deep Blue flowers in late Spring.

Pieris

A splendid shrub which enjoys similar conditions to Rhododendrons and Azaleas, they are also good subjects for pots and tubs.  Grow in ericaceous compost.  Varieties include:-
P. ‘Forest Flame’ – A superb shrub, leaves start red then fade through pink to white, then green. Flowers are white in large drooping panicles.
P. ‘Flaming Silver’ – A sport of Forest Flame with variegated leaves.
P. ‘Little Heath’ – A dwarf, compact variety with small variegated leaves.  It flowers sparsely, but can be free flowering if grown in a position with good light.

Chaenomeles

Chaenomeles can be grown against a wall or in an open border,  An adaptable medium-sized shrub, it will grow in sun or shade.  Varieties include:-
C. Geishe Girl – Apricot Peach flowers.
C. Nivalis – Pure white flowers.
C. Fire Dance – Red flowers.

Acer Palmatum

Deciduous shrubs or small trees grown for their colour and shape of their foliage, they need some protection from early morning sun and cold winds in Spring.  Varieties include:-
Acer P. Dissectum – Finely cut green leaves turn red in Autumn.
Acer P. Bloodgard – Leaves are very deep reddish-purple, turning red in Autumn.
Acer P. Garnet – Finely cut garner red leaves.
Acer P. Sango Kaku – Grown for its coral red young stems in Winter.

Choisya

This evergreen shrub makes an excellent rounded bush.  The main flowering is in May, then occasionally throughout the Summer.  Varieties include:-
C. Ternata – A medium-sized shrub with dark evergreen leaves that are aromatic when crushed.  Flowers are white and sweetly scented.
C. Ternata Sundance – A striking small to medium-sized shrub with bright yellow young foliage.
C. Aztec Pearl – A small shrub whose leaves are divided into 3-5 bright green leaflets.  Scented white flowers are borne profusely in late Spring.

 Magnolias

Grown for their striking flowers on barewood in Spring, they make an excellent feature plant for any garden.  Varieties include:-
M. Stellata – White fragrant, many petalled flowers in mid-Spring.
M. Soulangeana – Most popular variety with many tulip-shaped flowers in mid Spring.  There are also many excellent clones of the variety, including M. Rustica Rubra and M. Soulangeana Purpurea.
M. Lilliflora Nigra – Tulip shaped flowers, purple on the outside and cream on the inside.

 TOPICAL HINTS FOR SPRING

Herbaceous Border

Put in place supports for tall growing perennials to grow through and those that produce heavy flowers, to stop plants falling when they come into bloom.

Protect the young shoots of plants like hostas and delphiniums from slugs and snails.

Bulbs

Dead head daffodil and tulip flowers, nipping off the seed pod at the same time so all the energy goes back into the bulb.  Give a feed and let leaves brown off before removing them.

Roses

Watch roses for aphids and signs of blackspot or rust.  To aviod these problems spray fortnightly with suitable fungicide and insecticide and clear any diseased leaves from under the plant.  Many newer varieties are more resistant to blackspot.  Feeding with a good rose food and mulching plants well will also help prevent disease.

Shrubs

Early flowering shrubs can be pruned immediately after flowering.  All shrubs benefit from a feed and a good mulch in the Spring to prevent drying out in the Summer and to produce good strong growth.

Lawns

Seeding new lawns or worn patches on established lawns is best done late April,  early May when soil has started to warm.

Apply a high nitrogen Spring Lawn Food in April to encourage strong growth, or a combined fertiliser, weed and mosskiller if these are a problem.

Climbers

Early flowering Clematis like Montana, if outgrowing their space, can be pruned back after flowering.

Late flowering Clematis that were cut back in February should be trained as they grow.  Feed and mulch now if it has not already been done.

Heathers

Trim back Heathers that have finished flowering to maintain a compact bushy plant.