There's snow on them thar hills… and with chilly winter weather likely there’s absolutely no point in even thinking about perennial border plants until – ooh, I don’t know – March, right? Wrong!
If you have a greenhouse or conservatory you can sow seed of some perennials now, for a supply of brand new border plants to brighten your garden this summer, and for years to come. Delphiniums, lupins, gaura, rose campions… they can all be sown in January and February, under a little heat, for flowers in five or six months’ time.
By summer, the plants will still be fairly small, but that won’t stop them producing a show of flowers. And as hardy perennials, they will, of course, come​ back to bloom again for many years, on bigger and bigger plants.
There are two bonuses to sowing perennials rather than buying potted plants: a) you’ll save pounds per plant, and b) with the number of seeds typically found in packets you can grow dozens – or even hundreds – which you can either give away to appreciative friends, or sell from a car boot table or at the front gate, and get your money back!
Planting out time
January is also a suitable time to plant out perennials, provided the soil is neither waterlogged nor frozen. Garden centres won’t have as many on display now as they will in March or April, but in some ways this is a good time for planting as the perennials themselves will be dormant. By spring they’ll have started into growth, and disturbing them can damage growth buds and roots.
Denne historien er fra January 11, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
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Denne historien er fra January 11, 2020-utgaven av Amateur Gardening.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
To dig or not to dig?
Should we be carrying out a full dig on plots now? Bob considers the pros and cons of the 'autumn dig' debate
The box ball blues
As if his beleaguered box hadn't already taken a beating, Toby now has to deal with some hungry box caterpillars
Save your own seeds
Masterclass on: seed saving
Strange sightings
Three unusual insects turn up in Val's garden in one day
A bolt from the blue!
Cornflowers are perfect for garden and vase
Winter moth prevention
Ruth shows you how to avoid maggoty tree fruits
Create a winter container
There are as many options as in summer
Lightweight gardening tools
AS well as being good for our mental health, gardening is also great exercise.
Autumn price round-up
AG finds better bargains in lesser-known brands
Rudbeckias
Rudbeckias are ideal for sunny summer patios and borders, with some able to survive our coldest winters