Sleeping beauties Plant dormant

66 Plant pick

Sleeping beauties

Plant a dormant, bare-rooted tree or shrub, ready to burst into life come spring

Japanese maple Cultivars vary from a small-medium tree to a large shrub, with lacy foliage on weeping or spreading branches. The leaves may be red-purple or green for most of the year, but come ablaze in autumn in orange, yellow and red tones. Ensure the soil is well drained and feed with an organic fertiliser in spring.

Roses Fill your garden with romance, colour and, if you’re lucky, scent by planting a selection of roses. They grow well in most climates but can succumb to fungal diseases in areas with humid summers. Choose a spot in full sun with welldrained soil. Dig in plenty of aged cow manure and compost, then mulch. Feed regularly from spring to autumn.

Forest pansy This is much loved for its red flower buds, which appear on bare stems in early spring, and open to a profusion of pink blossoms. Heart-shaped, glossy purple leaves follow soon after and age to dark green, before turning red-orange in autumn. The colour is best when planted in full sun, but avoid hot and windy sites.

Flowering fruit trees For beautiful spring blossom – and a tasty summer snack – plant a peach, nectarine, cherry, apricot or plum tree. They need cold winters as they require a certain amount of ‘chill hours’ for the fruit to ripen; to grow in warmer climates, look for trees with low chill hours. Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. ◆

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Japanese maple

(Acer palmatum cvs) For most climates, position in full sun, but in warm humid climates, grow in part shade.

Forest pansy

(Cercis canadensis) Popular for its ever-changing display, this striking specimen tree grows to only 5m tall and wide.

Roses

(Rosa spp. and cvs) Prune back in late summer to encourage a second flush of lovely blooms in autumn.

Flowering fruit trees

(Prunus spp.) If space is limited, look for dwarf forms of peach (pictured), nectarine, cherry, apricot or plum, or multi-grafted trees.