The main focus for the month has been on cutting back.
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- Herbaceous perennials which I didn’t do in the autumn. I like the seedheads of some perennials, like the sedums, as I think they look really nice when we have a frost. The birds also appreciate the seeds over the winter months. There are some perennials which I have left as they are more tenders, such as penstemon. I’ve found through trial and error that it is best to leave growth on these until late March or early April to provide more protection against frosts.
- Grasses. I find cutting back deciduous grasses a really difficult job to time. They are still looking great, but I know that I need to cut them down otherwise I run the risk of cutting into the new shoots.
- Shrubs. I prune some of my shrubs, such as Physocarpus, back to a stumpy low framework near ground level to encourage vigorous young shoots. I have three Sambucus nigra Black Lace which I treat differently. One I prune hard back each winter as it is in the woodland border and I don’t want it taking over. One, in the hot border, I just keep under control by pruning any branches that hang over the lawn or other shrubs around it. And the one in the front garden will be allowed to do what it wants for now.