If you are like us here at DesignScapes of NC, you are on the edge of your seat awaiting the arrival of Spring and the beautiful blooms that emerge with it. We absolutely cannot wait for the burst of color especially from some of our favorites like flowering cherry trees, dogwoods and azaleas. There are some things that you can do around the garden or landscape to prepare for this beautiful time of year. Some of those tasks include trimming up some of the summer blooming shrubs like butterfly bush and knockout roses. It is best to prune these in late Winter and early Spring.
However, you will want to be careful when it comes to pruning Spring blooming plants. Typically, it is best to prune Spring flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming. In addition, you want to take care not to prune those plants that bloom on the previous year’s wood because you will reduce or eliminate any blooms for this year. For instance, some hydrangeas bloom on old growth, so even though the stems may appear to be dead, they actually contain the buds for Summer flowers. Determine what type of hydrangeas you have and whether they bloom on old or new growth before you set out to tidy up the garden. This will determine if and when you should prune. Our blog “A True Southern Belle” touches on the different types of hydrangeas but a little more investigation may be needed as far as pruning. Check out our blog on “Pruning Hydrangeas” for help. Do your homework first!
Also, don’t commit Crape Murder! That is, be sure not to severely prune your Crape Myrtles. You may see some Crape Myrtles that are topped or cut way back but this can actually weaken the tree, and is not recommended. It is okay to remove branches that are crossed or broken as well as the old seed pods. You can refer to our blog on “Crape Murder” here.
March is also a good time to prepare your soil by adding compost. Fresh compost will enrich the soil with nutrients, so it is a good idea to add it to your ornamental beds. You may need to remove some of the mulch in order to add compost and then replace the mulch once the compost has been spread. A fresh layer of mulch is also a good idea, if needed, because it will help prevent those pesky weeds that will be appearing before long. If you have plants that are not planted in the best location, now is a good time to transplant trees and shrubs.
We are excited for the arrival of Spring and hope that you are too. If we can assist you with your garden or landscape needs, please do not hesitate to contact us.
