Gardening for late winter T
rees play a starring role in any garden as well as the wider landscape, creating height, style, and structure as well as being wonderful for wildlife, providing song posts, nest sites, and often food for birds and other creatures. Sadly, many of our native trees are under threat from a whole range of issues such as climate change, disease, and extreme weather, so redressing the balance by planting new ones is hugely worthwhile and a wonderful way to start the new gardening year. Planting a tree with family, or friends, shares the pleasure and make memories for the future, too. Choosing the right tree for your plot is all-important. While even the smallest gardens have room for at least one, it must be an appropriate size, which is where a bit of research and reading the small print on labels pays absolute dividends. Then consider how much return your tree will give in terms of ornamental value: the smaller the space, the harder a tree should ‘work’ and look good for as long as possible. Ignore the three26
While even the “ smallest gardens have
room for at least one tree, it must be an appropriate size, which is where a bit of research and reading the small print on labels pays absolute dividends..
”
Crab apple trees give two seasons of interest
week-wonders, as I call them, which give a wonderful burst of bloom but then nothing for the rest of the year. Many trees give at least two seasons of interest, like crab apples (Malus), cotoneasters and mountain ash (Sorbus) that have spring blossom followed by autumn fruit; birches and others with ornamental bark that look glorious all year round; or decorative foliage such as maples (Acer) which give colour from spring to autumn. Shape is all too easy to overlook, but is an important consideration where space is limited as while the majority of trees form a rounded head of branches, others have a slender, columnar or vase shape which is perfect to fit into a small space, or a weeping head of branches that makes a delightful natural play-house for children. Plant your tree into well-prepared soil, ideally adding a mycorrhizal fungi product which ‘supercharges’ the root system. When planting, ensure the top of the rootball is at soil level (incorrect planting depth is the biggest cause of death amongst new
To promote your business to 16,100 readers - call 07450 161929 or email advertising@linksmagazines.co.uk
