WAITING FOR RUDOLPH!

24th November 2018  N.Yorks.

Gone very cold suddenly.  It would seem Autumn is over and Winter just around the corner. The garden is still full of colour;  the resistance to low morning temperature around 2 degrees seems to be a further example of inverse Global Warming. Nasturtium seeds from the summer blooming have germinated and are again in flower. The same goes for Pansies and Heartsease. These plants were first planted a year last September, flowered all throughout last winter, often in minus 10 degrees and under snow, continued to flower all summer, naturally seeded in the their tubs and are now once again in full bloom and ready for another rigorous winter on the North Yorkshire Prairies.

Pansies heading for their second winter

Pansies and heartsease heading for their FIRST winter!

Roses now ready for their first winter pruning.  Just reduce height of Hybrid Tea bushes by half, feed and leave until end of February early March before giving them a good tidy for next year. Do the same for Climbers & Ramblers, but in early March take the upright canes and tie down to parallel with the ground to encourage upward growth from each latent bud (massive increase the flowering potential – left upright each shoot may only produce one flower). If you have some organic matter, composted leaves, grass clippings which are dry and brown (never use wet and slimy), mulch these around the rose plant base in a one metre diameter circle, up to 100mm deep, after scattering a good handful of granular Feed. 

Rose bush after its first trim

Always ensure that your rose bushes are firmly Heeled in to avoid Winter Wind Wobble, which will damage the roots and allow ingress of water down the side of the stem which can cause Rot. Should you be planting new Bare Rooted bushes, always soak new plants in a bucket of water for a few days prior to planting, ensure depth of hole does not allow soil to be above the graft as this will cause the root stock to grow pale green Suckers.  If some appear, cut off very close to root stock stem. Only water at bottom of hole and mulch top above ground. If very cold wrap new plants in horticultural floss until first buds appear in early March.

Definitely the last rose of  summer

Fuchsias are still flowering. There will be a many varieties that die off in the winter and will also be Killed Off permanently by frost. For continuity next year take cuttings now, keep out of winter Frost and give minimal water. Those plants that seem to survive initial Frost and continue to flower are the Hardy varieties. Just trim back, feed and leave in situ for next year.

Trailing fuchsia in a basket

Two trailing fuchsias hanging on!

Another Fuchsia in a window box

This fuchsia looks as if it will be hardy

 Geraniums need to be moved inside now.  Frost will blacken leaves and stems and will kill the plant. Move inside. Green house is excellent as plants will continue to flower under glass all winter. Take cuttings by  simply breaking off a 100mm spur shoot from main stems, removing bottom leaves and any flower or buds, plant around the edge of plastic or terracotta pot in used potting compost (no feed), keep almost damp if in cool dry place but water if in warmer environment. Keep the Mother plants but cut back by two thirds when the flowers cease. Feed and water new cuttings and old plants from next March and put out into garden next April.

Geraniums happily settled in the greenhouse

For the first time ever have managed to keep a shop bought Poinsettia from last Christmas throughout the long hot summer, and have managed to get lots of new growth, which is starting to turn red (remember these are just the top leaves on each stem not the flowers – which are usual very small and yellow.) The plant has been stored in full sun in the green house and the pot constantly in around 40mm of water.

So proud of this poinsettia from last Christmas which spent the summer in the greenhouse

The Christmas Roses (Helleborus Niger) have peaked rather early.  Hoping they will continue up to the Festive Season!

Helleborus Niger in full bloom already

Bulbs planted in late September in the pots, under the Pansies and Heartsease, are starting to come through - could be spectacular show in early Spring – hopefully.

Good time to divide Perennials. Hostas can be dug up, split into two or three pieces and re planted, Delphiniums can also be split if the clump has become over-sized. Tidy and Dead Head anything that looks a bit Tatty. Plant the remainder of your spring bulbs and retire the to Potting Shed for a well deserved winter rest.

HG has a new Bell so possible hear it (with new Hearing Aids) whilst warming up by the stove

must be time for Coffee 

 must dash

See you soon

Stuart.