Phil and Heather's Garden Notes

How to Prune Back Cornus Stems

Pruning back Cornus stems is a common practice to maintain the stem’s vibrant colour and promote new growth. Here are the steps to follow: Following these steps will help you prune your Cornus stems...

Pruning and restoring old climbing roses

Reviving Climbing Roses: A Guide to Proper Pruning and Care Improper pruning is a common mistake with climbing roses, often resulting in a “haircut effect” where only the top is trimmed, leaving the plant...

Feeding your plants – its important

it is important to feed your plants in garden borders and containers, especially in the context of climate change. As the soil temperature warms, soil organisms and bacteria become more active, which can lead...

Reversion in variegated plants

How to deal with reversion in variegated plants Variegated plants are those with leaves or other plant parts that exhibit different colors or patterns, usually with some combination of white, yellow, or cream. Sometimes,...

Hebe plants damaged by the frost

Hebe plants such as hebe midsummer beauty and hebe pagei can be sensitive to hard winter frosts and may struggle to recover if damaged by freezing temperatures. Here are some tips to help your...

Corkscrew hazel and rootstock problems

The corkscrew hazel, also known as Harry Lauder’s walking stick (Corylus avellana ‘Contorta’), is a deciduous shrub that is known for its twisted and contorted stems. This unique feature is due to a genetic...