March in the Borders Garden
March 2012
Kelso Life March 2012
The planting of trees in our gardens is becoming increasingly popular as we all become more aware of the wildlife benefits they offer. Trees are a very diverse group of plants, and vary in height and shape as well as providing a wide range of flowers, leaves, bark and fruits. The passing seasons allow the gardener to appreciate the fresh new leaves of early spring, the blossom, and often a wonderful display of coloured leaves in autumn to complete the cycle.
Even small gardens can have space for a tree - there are some varieties which are very narrow and hardly take up any space at all, such as the Flagpole Cherry ( Prunus Amanagawa), or upright conifers. Other trees may have a weeping habit, like Kilmarnock Willows, which can look really pretty in a small front garden. Amelanchiers are also good when space is limited, as they have a light, airy canopy which doesn't dominate the surroundings, and also has attractive flowers in the spring and colours up beautifully in the autumn.
Hardiness is a major factor in the Scottish Borders, and you may notice that the last two winters have created a lot of casualties, particularly with evergreen trees, including Leylandii and Eucalyptus. Unless you have a very sheltered site I would recommend that you stay away from planting evergreen trees, as the deciduous varieties are generally much tougher, and more interesting. Birches (Betula), Ash (Fraxinus), Rowans (Sorbus), and Ornamental Cherries (Prunus) are amongst those that do really well in this area, and have great benefits to wildlife too.
March is an ideal month for planting trees as long as the ground conditions are suitable. You'll need to carefully choose the position in your garden, and dig out a planting hole at least twice the size you require. Mix the soil with a good compost or well-rotted manure then put enough soil back in the bottom of the hole to make it the right depth for the rootball. At this point scatter some Rootgrow, which is a beneficial mycorrhizal fungi, into the bottom of the hole, then plant the tree, backfilling and firming all the time. Finish with a stake, a tree tie and, if rabbits, hares or deer are likely to be a problem, a tree guard, and water well. If we get another dry spring like last year any newly planted trees will need regular watering until their roots get established.
If you want to find out more about trees, or have a specific question to ask, then we are holding a Garden Questions Evening on 20th March 5.30pm - 7pm, and this month the theme is "Trees; Selection, Planting and Care". The price is £15 per person including supper and booking is required.
Finally if you want to keep in touch with what is happening day to day at Woodside the best way to do this is via Twitter. You don't have to sign up to anything to do this - simply open the our website www.woodsidegarden.co.uk and click on the Twitter bar on the left-hand side of the screen to see what we've been up to.
Happy Gardening from Emma Emmerson of Woodside Garden Centre.
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