Gardening tips for autumn and winter Tim Baxter Ness Botanic Gardens

Arthur Kilpin Bulley “I am always planning pictures in my garden” - Arthur Kilpin Bulley, 1936 interview in Garden Work for Amateurs

Primula vialii (Forrest) Meconopsis betonicifolia (Ward) Geranium farreri (Farrer) Iris forrestii (Forrest) Gentiana sino-ornata (Forrest) Rodgersia aesculifolia (Farrer) Lilium mackliniae (Ward)

1913 haul of seed by Forrest George Forrest with chief collector Lao Chao

Rock Garden, 1930’s

"Welcome friend and welcome stranger, welcome one and welcome all" Erythronium dens-canina Narcissus cyclamineus

Autumn Divide herbaceous perennials Cut back perennials that have died down – or not! Clean and tidy greenhouses and cold frames ready for winter Clear leaves and other debris from streams and ponds Prune climbing roses Plant spring flowering bulbs

Protect Store tender plants inside over winter to protect from cold Pots outside can be wrapped in bubble wrap to protect Some tender plants can be left outside and wrapped in hessian Insulate outdoor taps and prevent ponds from freezing

Seed sowing Check conditions a plant needs to germinate Collect seed as soon as it is ready Sow as soon as possible – especially Peonies, Camellias, Magnolias and many others For many, sow in a pot, cover in coarse grit and leave outside over winter

Wildlife Put out bird food to encourage winter birds into the garden Use a seasonal bonfire to dispose of excess debris unfit for composting, BUT check for hibernating hedgehogs Newts, frogs, toads and beneficial insects overwinter in log and leaf piles – leave or create

Pruning During autumn make sure hedges have been cut Before Christmas, prune woody plants liable to bleed: Maples Birches Vines Prune open-grown apples and pears (but not those trained against walls) Coppice deciduous trees or shrubs too large for the area

Winter Winter is best time of year to plan the year ahead Major landscape works Tree work – felling and planting Plan vegetable planting and rotations for the coming year

“Most important tool in gardening!” - David Knott, Curator RBGE

Enjoy the snow!

Hardwood cuttings When dormant, take 8 inch (20cm) cuttings of stems Mix compost, 50:50 loam: perlite Put into pots, labels and leave in a cool shady place Wide range of plants Shrubs: Buddleja, Dogwood, Holly, Privet and Roses Climbers: Honeysuckle and Jasmium Soft Fruit: gooseberries and currants Many trees, especially Poplars and Willows

Betula dahurica var. parvifolia

Just waiting for Spring….