Gardening

Gerry Daly looks forward to spring with early flowering rhododendrons.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Early spring beauties
What is rare is wonderful - a very apt phrase for the charming beauty of the early-flowering rhododendrons. There are not many of these, because most rhododendrons flower later in spring and early summer but there are some gems that brave the elements early in the year.

One of the best known and most easily available is Rhododendron 'Seta', a lowish broad bush that covers itself with flowers from red buds in early spring. The flowers open out to pale pink and almost white. The flowers are quite tubular and held at a drooping angle. It looks very well towards the front of a mixed border and it can also be grown in a pot, which is a useful alternative to those who have limy soil in the garden.

'Christmas Cheer' is another well-known rhododendron variety with larger, more frilly flowers than 'Seta'. The flowers are broader, flatter trumpets. Again, these are pale pink,fading to white and are red-pink when the buds first open. This variety was much grown for the Christmas trade, being forced on a little early under glass. It too can be grown in a pot.

Not suitable for a pot because it makes a large bush or small tree, Rhododendron 'Nobleanum Venustum' is a magnificent sight in flower. It can start as early as late winter and continue well into spring with its large clusters of rose-red flowers, it is mostly seen in old gardens. A real beauty to keep a watch for is Rhododendron dauricum, a light semievergreen shrub which flowers early, with very beautiful rosepurple flowers. This is very dainty in appearance but robust too. Unfortunately it is hard to find for sale, but who knows, you might come across it!

Care for the environment: Making a wasp hotel

This is the perfect time to build a 'wasp hotel'. Don't worry - these are harmless wasps, not the sorestinging kind. Look around the garden for hollow withered stems of various diameters. Anything from a few millimetres to one centimetre or more is suitable. Dried flower stems from last year, weed stalks such as docks and even old bamboo canes are ideal. Gather these in the different sizes. Then cut them into lengths about 30 to 40 centimetres long. Gather these into a bundle and tie them tightly. Set the wasp hotel outdoors in a dry, fairly sheltered place. An over-hang of a shed or similar would be ideal, or set up a piece of timber to cast off rain.

Using Garden Tools

Hand fork
Some gardeners never use a hand fork and others would not be without one. A hand fork usually comes as part of a set with a hand-trowel and it is to be suspected that many hand forks, bought in a set, are rarely used. But a handfork can be a very useful implement. It is ideal for loosening the soil under weeds and helping to remove them. It also can be used for planting as it takes out a planting hole just as well as a hand trowel. It is handier than a trowel, and less effort, when used for cultivating and freshening the soil of borders and pots.

This month in your Garden

• continue to plant bare-rooted trees and shrubs
• sow bedding annual flowers in a heated propagator
• prune conservatory and greenhouse climbers
• flood-water peach trees to begin growth
• prune summer clematis hard, if necessary
• complete all remaining apple and pear pruning
• clean greenhouse glass, if not done already
• ventilate the greenhouse during fine weather
• complete any remaining digging for vegetables
• prune late-summer shrubs before new growth begins