Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 125

gardening

Island Life - December 2010

Crowning
glory

Tina's gardening
tips for:

December & January

‘Of all the trees in the green-wood,
the holly bears the crown..’ runs the
line in the old carol, and during the
depths of winter, hollies do add a
valuable lustre to gardens, especially
on bright clear days when they glow

woodland, but the lovely variegated

in the low winter sunlight.

forms will always be happiest in

Holly is a wonderfully versatile

a more privileged spot in the sun

plant, with many attractive varieties

which will show it off better, and

Provide fresh, clean water and a regular

available providing tough evergreen

the colours will be much brighter.

supply of food for birds, especially if the

hedges, handsome stand-alone

One of the most perplexing qualities

winter is as severe as last year. Keep all

specimens or smartly clipped

of holly is that some bushes are

feeders clean to prevent the spread of

sentinels by a front door. For me

smothered each year with berries

diseases.

holly is also an integral part of

in shades of red, orange or yellow

the Christmas tradition, adorning

whilst others bear few or none.

wreaths, garlands and arrangements

This is because many hollies are

with its distinctive leaves and bright

either male or female, and only the

berries.

females bear fruit. Just to confuse

In severe weather protect tender trees
and shrubs in pots by wrapping them in
fleece, or bubble plastic and move them
into a sheltered corner if possible.
Plant new trees and shrubs whilst they

matters even more I.aquifolium

are dormant, avoid planting if the ground

for its name, and in all its forms is

‘Golden Queen’ and ‘Silver Queen’

is frozen and wait until spring before

the ruggedly spiky hedgehog holly,

are both male and ‘Golden King’ is

planting evergreen varieties.

Ilex aquifolium ‘Ferox’. In the wild

female so it’s best to check if you

holly grows in partial shade in the

want berries.

My personal favourite, not just

Clear up any rotten fruit under apple,
pear and plum trees to prevent them
re-infecting the trees.
Check stored fruit and tubers such as

found. Evergreens provide the most

Forced hyacinths and daffodils can

dahlias for rot and discard any that are

useful materials, but bare branches

be planted into the garden to flower

affected.

or twigs reveal the beauty of their

next spring.

Mow lawns and tidy edges as necessary

bark or buds, and provide interesting

but avoid walking on them when the

alternatives as Christmas trees.

ground is frosty or wet. This is the perfect

Other colourful additions can

time of year to have your lawnmower

be bought in. Poinsettias add

serviced too.

a vibrant splash of colour and
are available in shades of pink
and white as well as the more

Cut back roses by one third to prevent
them being rocked loose by the wind.
The tips of autumn sown sweetpeas can

familiar red. You can keep them

be pinched out once they have produced

growing from year to year but

two pairs of leaves to produce bushier

they require special treatment

plants.

to produce their bright bracts in
time for Christmas, I just treat
them in the same way that I
would a bunch of flowers and
add them to my compost heap
once they are past their best.
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NEXT EDITION :
A world cruise in the garden, A little charmer,
the subtle magic of snowdrops.
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