January in the Flower Garden
There are blooms to enjoy in the winter flower garden. In January look out for the Winter Flowering Jasmine, Hellebores, sweetly scented Christmas box, (Sarcococca) Witch hazel (Hamamelis) and Mahonia.
As ever, we can find jobs to do in the flower garden even though it is January. Here are a few ideas.
Sweet Peas
If not already done so, sow Sweet Peas in January.
Sow your Sweet Peas in a heated propagator and once germinated grow on in an unheated greenhouse, conservatory or cold frame. It is not necessary to provide extra heat.
It has long been advised to nick or rub on sandpaper and soak in water to achieve good germination but many expert growers now suggest this is not required. Why not try both methods and compare germination results?
Sweet Pea Trainer Tubes can be purchased but alternative methods include toilet and kitchen rolls and deep pots.
Sweet peas sown in the autumn can now be potted on if required and ensure they grow in good light conditions otherwise they will be thin, weak and straggly. Protect new sweet pea plants from aphids and be vigilant to ensure slugs and mice do not do their worst.
Root Cuttings
Take root cuttings from subject such as:
- Perennial Poppies
- Mulleins
- Acanthus
- Phlox
Propagation by Division
To increase your stock and revive plants that may have been flowering poorly lift and divide herbaceous perennials. Postpone division if hard frosts are expected or the soil is very wet.
Plant Protection
Protect tender plants overwintering outdoors by protecting them with fleece or straw.
Seed Sowing in January
For early flowering plants, in January sow seeds in a heated greenhouse or propagator of:
- Begonia
- Lobelia
- Salvia
- Pelargonium
I use vermiculite to cover sown seeds and have achieved better germination than using sieved compost. However please remember that Begonias should not be covered, just pressed into the surface of the compost.
What wonderful service Hellebores give us during the dark and cold winter days.
To get the best show from your Hellebores cut off old leaves down to ground level which will expose the flowers. Take care when doing this as I can testify how easy it is to chop off one of your precious blooms.
Cutting back helps to avoid Hellebore leaf spot which can be a problem on old foliage.
January Flower Garden Maintenance
Cut back any perennial plants that have now lost their structure and not providing winter interest.
Also tidy up grasses that die back in winter ready for new growth to emerge. Leaving it late can make it difficult not to damage emerging fresh growth.
In spells where the ground is not too wet or frozen, take the opportunity to weed flower beds and remove leaves and other debris. Avoid walking or standing on wet soils if possible to prevent compaction. A board / plank of wood will distribute your weight.
Add protection to non frost-proof containers if not already done. Raising up onto feet or bricks will help to keep excess moisture out of the pot and reduce the risk of cracking when frozen.
Remove leaves from alpine beds to prevent plant rot.
Do not let stored tubers of plants such as Dahlia and Cannas become bone dry but be diligent in looking for signs of grey mould or rot that will quickly spread to all the tubers. Also check stored bulbs.
Lilies
In milder spells in January take the opportunity to plant lily bulbs in pots and borders.
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