March Garden Maintenance Tasks
Perennials
Lift and divide larger clumps for improved flowering
e.g. Bergenia, Heuchera, Hosta
Grasses
Cut down and rake out dead flower stems and foliage
Snowdrops
Allow to die down naturally. Lift and divide if required
Shrubs
Prune summer flowering shrubs e.g. Roses, Ceanothus, Sambucus, Hydrangea
(Leave spring flowering shrubs until after flowering e.g. Spiraea Arguta)
Control by emerging weeds by hoeing or apply a new layer of mulch if required. Apply a slow release fertiliser e.g. Osmocote to provide up to 6 months feed
Yorkshire Gardens to visit in March
- RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate
- Studley Royal (Nat Trust), Ripon
- Goddards, York
- Ripley Castle Gardens, Ripon
- Harewood House, Harewood
- Wentworth Castle Gardens
Plant of the Month: Bergenia cordifolia ?Silberlicht?
With boldly shaped foliage and shimmering flower spikes, this is a wonderful ground cover plant. It thrives in sun or shade, great under trees and shrubs, and tolerates heavy clay soils. It should be divided every three years to improve flowering. It associates well with Hellebores, Ferns and other woodland perennials
Pictured right
