January Gardening Tips

Newly arrived bare root roses and fruit trees can be “heeled in” by covering the roots in compost in a container in a cool, frost-free place until the ground defrosts.

It is fine to prune fruit trees in frosty weather. If it’s when you have most time, prune hardy foliage plants now, too.

Remove any snow-damaged branches from shrubs and small trees, cutting cleanly back to a healthy branch or the trunk. Partly broken branches you can try to wrap or bolt together, but they are highly unlikely to rejoin and may attract fungal problems. Wound paints are not recommended.

There’s no need to clear ice from ponds. Oxygen will still be available for wildlife and plants. Fish may benefit from extra oxygen, so keep the pump running to prevent freezing.

Using rock salt to keep paths free of ice can scorch leaves and roots of plants, so apply with care and keep to a minimum.

Bulbs such as tulips that you haven’t got around to putting in the garden, can still be planted as long as they are firm and mould-free.

Cut away the leaves of Helleborus orientalis to show off the flowers.

Once plants in containers have frozen, it’s too late to bubble-wrap them. Move them to a sheltered spot near the house or into a light shed or garage.

Plant of the month

Daphne bholua ‘Jacqueline Postill’ AGM is a deservedly very popular winter flowering evergreen shrub. It has an upright habit and dark leathery leaves. Clusters of intensely fragrant flowers in late winter are white inside and purplish-pink outside. Often on the expensive side to buy as it can be difficult to propagate but happily, it is easy to grow. Best in dappled shade with a little sun and a fertile but well drained soil, this daphne is a good plant for resistance to hungry deer. Height 2-2.4m (6-8ft) and spread of 15m (5ft).