SPRING
gardening Time to rejuvenate those borders...
E
arly spring is a great time to revitalise garden borders that have become lacklustre, overcrowded, or somehow never quite satisfactory. New plants can be settled in before the growing season really kicks off; mature shrubs may be rejuvenated by hard pruning; herbaceous perennials and ornamental grasses can be divided to turn single plants or small groups into large, eye-catching drifts. It’s easy to overlook how plants grow and change over time and a once-attractive border will have plants that have grown at different speeds to become unbalanced. Start by looking at the largest plants – usually shrubs, sometimes conifers. Even quite mature plants, particularly evergreens, can be moved to a new site if done with care. It very much depends on the type and the root system, but if a plant is in the wrong place, it’s worth a go. Do check for nesting birds first, though, and delay until autumn if you have any residents. Get the new planting hole prepared first; dig round the plant and slip a piece of tarp underneath to keep as much soil round the roots as possible. The other option is to hard prune: the usual method of rejuvenating a mature plant is to thin out about a third of the oldest stems near the ground, letting light and air through the congested centre and encourages new growth. However, there are some shrubs such as camellias and laurels that can be taken back almost to the ground, even when mature, and which will regrow really well. Also late-summer flowering shrubs such as butterfly bush (Buddleja) can be hard pruned in total too. Introducing just a few new plants to a border can make an astonishing transformation. Think about contrasting shape, foliage, and stem colour, as these will impact all year. Flowers are delightful, of course, and choosing blooms for a succession of colour through every season will pay dividends. Choose pollinator-friendly plants wherever possible: bees, butterflies and other insects need every bit of help we can give. Go to www.rhs.org.uk for an extensive downloadable list of Plants for Pollinators. Fortunately, garden centres and nurseries have mostly remained open during lockdown (check opening times first though) and it’s great to continue to support local businesses wherever possible. n 28
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