Gardener's diary - December gardening
Our Guide to December Gardening.
December is usually a quiet month for the gardener.
There are the usual winter tasks of shaking off snow and generally keeping an eye on your plants and trees.
There are the usual winter tasks of shaking off snow and generally keeping an eye on your plants and trees.
Hardy Perennials
If soil is not too wet, finish any digging. Improve clay soil with sharp sand and compost. Weather permitting keep the ground clear.
Fork over the soil leaving it in lumps for the weather to break down over the winter.
Fork over the soil leaving it in lumps for the weather to break down over the winter.
Shrubs - Climbers
Plants that are not completely hardy can be protected with screens, or covered with straw or sacking.
Hardy Annuals - Biennials - Half-Hardy Annuals
Order seeds from catalogues and garden centres.
Trees
As for November. Continue with routine tasks such as checking ties and staking.
Hedges
As for November. Gently shake off any snow to prevent damage to branches.
Heathers
Remove fallen leaves regularly to prevent the plants underneath from rotting.
Protect cuttings from winter weather and do not over-water. Refrain from watering at all if you are unsure.
Propagate plants by mound layering.
Protect cuttings from winter weather and do not over-water. Refrain from watering at all if you are unsure.
Propagate plants by mound layering.
Bulbs and Corms
Keep beds clear of debris and check on potted plants as before.
Alpines
Continue with routine tasks.
Lawns
As for November.
Plants that are in flower in December
Annuals and Biennials:
- Viola
Border Perennials:
- Iris stylosa
Rockery Perennials:
- Polygonum vaccinifolium
Bulbs:
- Cyclamen coum
Shrubs:
- Erica darleyensis
- Hamamelis mollis
- Jasminum nudiflorum
- Mahonia bealei
- Mahonia japonica
- Viburnum bodnantense
- Viburnum fragrans
- Viburnum tinus
Trees:
- Prunus subhirtella 'Autumnalis'
