Page 9 - Thrapston Life A5 March 2023

EARLY
SPRING
in the garden
Spring arrives with an
unapologetic splash of daring
colour. The brilliant yellows of
daffodils, forsythia, aconites
and native primroses never fail
to make me smile. Tucked up all
winter, they wait patiently for the temperatures to rise so they can wake up with a shout that winter is over.
have the correct type of soil for a magnolia or do not have the room, smaller varieties such as Magnolia stellata ‘Centennial’ grow well in large
Another spring showstopper is the magnificent magnolia. With their tulip-
like or star-like shaped flowers, colours
range from pure white through to
pink and deep magenta. Some such as Magnolia x brooklynensis ‘Yellow Bird’
have yellow flowers. Slow growing,
they can take 10-20 years to reach
their ultimate size. They need acidic
to neutral soil and a sheltered spot away from strong winds, but where it gets plenty of sun to ensure a good display of flowers. If you do not
pots or containers.
Shrubs with decorative bark such
as cornus or salix can now be cut back hard. The new growth will be even more vibrant next winter. Hydrangea can be cut back too. Cut back to a healthy bud to encourage new growth. Buddleja davidii can also be pruned back hard. It grows vigorously, so don’t
worry about being too brutal as it will very quickly regrow and provide lots of flowers for visiting butterflies later in the year.
Spring arrives with an unapologetic splash of daring colour
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