Beautiful Gardens Spring Edition 2015 | Page 7

10 Buy from GIVE BEDS A LIFT MARCH Spring is the perfect time to give borders a boost with a few fresh plants. For year-round colour, try the golden evergreen shrub Choisya ‘Aztec Gold’ (right), which sports white, scented flowers in May. And include a range of cottage garden plants (see page 10) to fill any gaps. Buy from MARCH Quick jobs to do this month 1. Prune clematis varieties that flower from July onwards to the ground 2. Cut back dead stems of cottage garden perennials and grasses to make way for new growth 3. Plant spring bedding, such as pansies, violas, and primroses in gaps in your borders. OR CT F ts RFE baske PE ts & po 4. Check your cutting tools and clean rusty blades, or treat yourself to a set of new tools 5. Plant baskets and pots with spring flowers Buy from MAY MULCH IN MARCH Lock in moisture by placing a layer of compost or bark chips over beds, leaving a gap around the plants’ stems. Or lay gravel or slate chippings around alpines, such as this dwarf shrub, Lithodora ‘Heavenly Blue’ for a more natural look. BRIGHTEN UP A SHADY CORNER Not many colourful flowers thrive in shade, but begonias, such as the beautiful Summerwings ‘Dark Elegance’ (above) are exceptions. Choose from our range of plants from May or plant the tubers now – find out more on page 12. WHAT 'S IN STORE Don't miss out on the great range of essential tools and gadgets in our garden centre this spring! KNEELO GARDEN KNEELER Protect your knees with a smart and comfortable pad. £14.99 GARDENER'S MATE TOOLS Top-quality tools at great prices, with a 12-year guarantee. £14.99 each HOZELOCK ULTRA TWIST SPRAYER Doubles as a spray gun and sprinkler. £19.99 -7- MOULTON MILL WATERING CAN This 4.5l (1 gallon) galvanised can is both stylish and practical. £14.99 6. Power-wash your patio or deck 7. Sow summer annual seeds indoors 8. Stand seed potato tubers, blunt end facing up, in egg boxes on a windowsill to sprout (chit) before planting outside in April 9. Pot up dahlia and begonia tubers in multi-purpose compost and keep in a light, frost-free place until May 10. Remove the top layer of compost from pots planted with shrubs or perennials, and replace with fresh compost mixed with a scoop of Miracle-Gro Slow Release Plant Food Granules.