Now is the time…

We have been fortunate with the amount of re-growth achieved since hurricane Fabian, the weather since has thankfully allowed this growth to ‘harden' off.

Hardening off gives the growth a better chance of surviving wind and salt damage, as well as attack from insects that prefer to chew and nibble on new soft growth.

Temperature also impacts on the amount of growth achieved during a season, summer being the major period for most plants, however this does not preclude growth in the winter or ‘off season' months.

If we continue to have warm weather - especially with rain - growth will continue, though not as rapidly as in previous months, but we will continue to see a limited amount of flowers and colour.

Growth achieved during the summer months will now start to look ‘older' and lose its vibrancy; colour on older leaves will start to change also. Thus is the cycle of growth, when Mother Nature takes control of her own.

Now is a good time to carry out an end of year check on the entire garden, even though this was done after the hurricane, other problems may have started since the last inspection.

For plants to give of their best, time, effort and an understanding of their requirements is essential, as latent problems could now becoming to the fore; therefore look for signs of damaged or stressed branch, root and trunk systems.

Tears or snags should be given immediate attention in order to avoid secondary infections from fungal problems; prune to clean wood leaving a slight ‘growth' if pruning back to a main limb, as this will assist in callousing over of the cut.

Excessive new growth is often found after a devastating storm, and should be thinned out by retaining moderate growth wood whilst removing the weak and ‘stronger' wood.

As the length of daylight decreases, growth will slow down with the result that flowering will also be reduced; and the need to create additional interest in the garden becomes obvious. Nurseries now have an abundance of annuals (seedlings) ready for planting, with new and old varieties being available. Most seedlings are purchased in cell packs and are quite small when planted; these will need protection from wind and insect damage if they are to survive into flowering plants.

If possible purchase in a slightly larger pot up to three inches is fine, seedlings grown in this size tend to establish themselves quicker and flower earlier.

Annuals make a great statement at any time of year, but are perhaps more important for their colour and beauty from fall through to spring. Size and colour create contrast in most gardens, but a word of caution to those gardens that have limited protection from weather; an established display can be ruined in a day by strong winds.

Selection is therefore important in choosing the right plant for the designated area. On sites where wind can be a problem consider the use of lower growing types, such as alyssum, lobelia, pansy, petunia, dwarf snapdragon etc.

Placement is also important if one is to make a statement and create a pleasing display.

Beds are normally viewed in two ways, either from one side only, i.e. against a wall or from three hundred and sixty degrees, which is usually found in a circular or amoeboid shaped bed.

Flowerbeds can be of a mixed planting nature, where annuals are mixed in and around shrubs, or simply as an annual bed, which can really make an impact when designed and planted correctly.

Where mixed planting beds are to be planted, it is often the case that existing plant material offers protection to newly planted annuals, and will therefore allow a wider range of material to be used.

However, size of material will still need to be considered, as to how best to blend in with existing material.

Keeping in mind the key elements for selection, the choice is yours with regard to a mixed bed planting, with the only concern being the planting distances.

Fast growing annuals can outgrow their neighbours if planted too closely, to the detriment of the latter. To design a bed of annuals offers an open palette for colour and height with the addition of leaf texture.

Whether the bed is viewed from one side or from all sides, the design should focus on the taller plantings being at the rear of the bed when viewed from one side, or as a in central position when being viewed from all sides.

When in full bloom the appearance should be of a tent with taller plants falling away to less tall material and finally to low growing ground hugging types.

By using a variety of annuals it is possible to create a cutting garden if so desired or just to be visually pleasing. Some interesting annuals to consider in the garden: Bells of Ireland; Cleome; Dusty Miller; Mallow; Larkspur; Lupin; Hollyhock; Tickseed; Candytuft; Dwarf Phlox to name but a few.

Bulbs and related plants are also of interest at this time of year, giving the garden an added dimension from now through spring.

The old faithfulls are still worthy of growing in mixed borders or as drifts in a woodland setting in lawns.

Freesias, Paper White Narcissus, Bermudiana, Dahlia; Nerine; Hippeastrum; Iris are but a few of the candidates worthy of consideration.

A point to note with this or indeed any type of planting, it should if to be viewed for its ‘beauty' be located in a strategic area of the garden, preferably when it can be viewed from a room or rooms in the house. After all, a garden is not a garden if it is not seen and enjoyed!