February Newsletter

February is an interesting time in the garden because things really start to get moving with the increased daylight. Galanthophiles are in ectastacies because this much overpriced plant is now starting to take centre stage, forced rhubarb- that peculiarly English fruit ,usually in the form of Rhubarb crumble, makes an appearance in the shops and many of the exotic shrubs from far flung places across the globe thrive in Londons sheltered squares and gardens such as Lonicera x purpusii, Viburnum x bonantense ‘Dawn’ and Chimonanthus praecox( Wintersweet) to name but a few.
Ofcourse now is the time to prune wisteria back to two or three buds. This is a highly satisfying and easy task on a crisp, sunny February morning and although the RHS advise you to prune roses back in April I think now is a very good time to prune roses back because other tasks in the garden and elsewhere do not call you quite as loudly when its still winter! Similarly spreading manure now will benefit the health of your plants during the coming growing season. If you need any help doing these tasks do let me know…
Its been 10 years now since I began The Cottage Gardener and definitely I do not regret choosing horticulture as a career for one minute. However, as a self-employed gardener I haven’t had the time to go and look at other natural habitats around the world at the times of year that they look their best- generally April, May and June in the Northern Hemisphere. Therefore, this year I will be going on two trips- one to see the churchyards of Suffolk, that softest of counties, in April by foot and Bohinj national park in Slovenia to see its amazing wild flowers in June.
I will keep you updated on this but if you do wish to see pictures over the coming months please do visit my facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/claphamcottagegardener/