Dec07

The Garden in December In December our has a well-earned rest taking on a dishevelled, comfortable look. Colour comes from the evergreen shrubs and trees as well as the stems of Cornus and Pittosporum
What could be more Christmasy than Ilex "Gold Flash". The red berries are soon devoured by Redwings, Fieldfares, Blackbirds and Thrushes	Pittosporum tenuifolium "Nigrescens" looks fresh and bright throughout the winter; the black stems contrasting with the glossy, pale green leaves. It is slightly frost tender: the stem tips can be damaged in very hard frosts but this damage is easily snipped off in spring and this pruning serves to create a bushier plant.
Cornus "Midwinter Fire" needs to be sited where its glowing stems can catch the low midwinter sun. In late February the some or all of the stems can be cut back hard - almost to the ground to make it shoot up new stems with the best colour. The plants increases by suckering and rooted offsets can normally be dug up from around the plant. If lots of plants are wanted the pruned stems can be used as hardwood cuttings - dig a narrow trench and add sand or grit is your soil is heavy and push the stems at least 6 - 9" into the soil and refill the trench. The stems should root within 9-12 months.

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