The December Garden

Cold, Crisp & Clear days ahead this month...

December can be a an excellent month in the garden, the days are shorter of course, but the weather is usually clear, crisp, and sunny. It is a good time to do any major pruning of ornamental trees and shrubs as they are now in their dormant period, plus with much less leaf, its easier to see how far you need to prune back. If you are looking for winter flowering shrubs, look no further than Hamamelis Witch Hazel which display clusters of fragrant yellow flowers. 

If you have recently planted trees or shrubs including roses, check if they have been lifted by frost or wind. If this has happened, you will notice gaps around the roots causing them to dry out. Gently firm them back in with your hands, allowing them to get the moisture from the soil. If you do get snowfall in your area, brush off any heavy snow from evergreen hedges before the weight of it causes damage to the branches. 

Feed the birds this month as the weather is getting colder and its harder for them to find food. Fat balls and well stocked bird feeders could be a life saver in getting them through the winter, and keep them visiting your garden.