February
Cornus Mas
February is the first month to show signs of the onset of spring and there are some excellent, less well known shrubs you may want to consider. Cornus mas or, as it is commonly known, the Cornelian Cherry can be relied on to flower in February. It has a stunning display of tufted yellow flowers which completely smother the shrub and these go on to produce bright red berries. Cornus mas are slow growing but will eventually grow as high as three metres.
If you have acidic soil or a container with ericaceous compost, consider planting the early flowering Rhododendron "Rosa Mundii". It has pink flowers with a reddish eye and does not grow as large as other Rhododendrons, growing to 1.5m: hence it is suitable for growing in a container.
If you have a north facing fence or wall you wish to cover, Garrya eliptica is an excellent evergreen shrub best suited to this task. Garrya eliptica is highly valued for its silky catkins which can be up to 15cms (6") long or, in the case of Garrya eliptica "James Greave", even longer!
Another plant which is ideal for covering fences or for covering or pergolas is the evergreen Clematis, Clematis alpine "Freckles" which will actually flower any time from October through to February - it produces creamy pink flowers that have a very distinctive deep red "freckles" . This clematis also has the added bonus of being richly scented.
Finally February would not be complete in any garden without mentioning Camellias. The japonica group of camellias are the ones that reliably flower in February and here are a few cultivars to consider: "Alba plena" is a large double white, "Anenomiflora" has dark crimson flowers which are borne in abundance, or consider trying the unusual "Lavinia Maggi" which is double white but with broad cerise pink stripes!
I hope my suggestions for February have given you a few ideas
Jobs for February
- The last chance to spray almond and peaches against peach leaf curl; you are too late once the buds have burst.
- Tidy up any herbaceous plants before they start to emerge in the spring
- Once snowdrops have finished flowering it is the ideal time to divide the clumps and replant them.
- Sow sweet peas under glass
- Mulch herbaceous borders now before the plants start to emerge
- Tidy up ornamental grasses by cutting them back
- Prune autumn fruiting raspberries - you need to cut them to 7 to 10cms (3" to 4")
