Come mid-February there is a glimmer of hope in the air - Winter is almost behind us! As the spring bulbs start to sprout, providing us with displays that lift our spirits, the days lengthen and winter recedes. By the end of the month, as weather warms up, there are more opportunities to get out and about and appreciate nature as it awakens from its winter hibernation. Why not take a visit to Highdown Gardens and see some great examples of this month’s Plant of the Month.

Prunus serrula has one of the most beautiful barks of all; deep cherry red and so smooth you can’t help yourself from touching it. It’s a magnificent tree for year-round interest with its eye-catching polished, tactile bark and small white and pink spring flowers. The smooth, mahogany bark peels in vibrant cherry red sheets to reveal a fresh new hue of bronze-red gloss beneath. Caught in autumn sunlight it positively glows with its shiny reflective surface.

The willow-like, narrow foliage of Prunus serrula displays an intense mid/dark-green colour, turning a lovely rich yellow in the autumn. In April-May, small white flowers are produced and although not the most prominent, are a pleasant addition to the stunning bark and interesting foliage. It justly deserves the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Also known as the Tibetan Cherry tree, Birch bark cherry, and Paperbark cherry this small ornamental tree will grow to 5 x 4 metres in 20 years when grown as a single stem. Prunus serrula is native to western China and was introduced to the UK in 1908 by Ernest Wilson. It is ideal for small spaces, particularly in urban settings as it’s also tolerant of pollution. The Tibetan Cherry grows well in most conditions but it’s best to avoid wet or shallow soils.

Prunus serrula is a low maintenance tree that requires little, if any, pruning. It’s a special tree for all seasons and can be seen at its best locally at Highdown Gardens. Ultimately a great specimen tree for all situations and also suited for the smaller gardens too.

Jobs to be done in February:
Ornamental Garden
• In late February cut back hard (coppice) all the Cornus (Dogwood) to low buds.
• If snow falls – do not let the snow sit on the shrubs, gently shake off to prevent damage.
• Prune Roses creating an open outward facing framework.
• Prune Clematis (late/summer flowering).
• Shape borders to neaten edges.
• In late February – cutback deciduous grasses.
• Remove weeds from borders.
• Prune out dead; diseased or damaged wood from trees and shrubs.
• Complete pruning of Apple/fruit trees if not already done.
• Mulch borders if not already done in Autumn – taking care of emerging bulbs.
• Cut back Hydrangea Preziosa to first healthy buds on stems.
• Cut back Hydrangea Annabelle to a half/third to retain compact shape.
• Cut back side shoots of wisteria, pruning to two to three buds.
• Plant new climbers such as clematis/honeysuckle
• Prune summer flowering deciduous shrubs that flower on the current years growth – e.g. Buddleja, lavatera etc.
• Sow hardy annuals for summer colour.

Vegetable Garden:
• Buy seed potatoes and chit tubers by placing them eye end up in trays or egg boxes in a light, cool, frost free place.
• Sow crops like broad beans, lettuce etc and place in greenhouses or coldframes for an earlier harvest.
• Now’s the time if you want to think about planting asparagus – keep weed free and mulch with a thick layer of organic matter.
• Apply general fertiliser like growmore/blood fish and bone to beds.
• Mulch tree and cane fruit after pruning.
• Plant garlic.
• Spray dormant fruit bushes with plant oil based winter wash to kill overwintering eggs or aphid pests.