1. Gardening tips for autumn and winter
Tim Baxter
Ness Botanic Gardens

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

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

4. 1913 haul of seed by Forrest
George Forrest with chief collector Lao Chao

5. Rock Garden, 1930’s

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

13. 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

17. 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

18. 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

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

21. Enjoy the snow!

22. 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

24. Betula dahurica var. parvifolia

25. Just waiting for Spring….