WICKEDLY WINTERY SPELL

Wow, this winter has been wicked, inflicting serious damage to many garden plants around the country. Cold frosty winter conditions can be extremely frustrating for gardeners, but there are numerous benefits to be thankful for. The cold kills off many pests and diseases, ridding plants of these damaging illnesses for months to come. Whilst many plants are lost to the extreme weather conditions, there are those that excel. Deciduous fruit trees are likely to produce more blossoms and set better fruit crops. Herbaceous perennials will benefit from going totally dormant and perform with renewed vigour when spring growth starts. Spring will be later than usual and many flowering shrubs will produce an abundance of bloom. The forthcoming spring promises to be as beautiful as ever. Ps – if you have plants that have been severely damaged, wait for new spring growth to commence before pruning back the damaged part of the plants.