WINTER SHRUBS

Photo: Garrya elliptica

DOGWOODS
The dogwood shrubs are generally ignored until this time of the year. Winter light brings out the vivid colours of the shrubs. The shrubs are generally very hardy and they are often used in mass planting schemes along roads. The two most common dogwoods are Cornus alba “Sibirica” which has bright red stems and Cornus stolonifera “flavirimea” which has the yellow stems. There are other forms as well but these are by far the hardiest. The shrubs grow quickly and are best suited to the back of the border, as this variety of Cornus doesn’t have much to offer in the summer months. The best colour is obtained when the bush is cut right back in spring to allow bright new growth for the winter. The shrubs look delightful at this time of year, especially when daffodils, snowdrops or crocuses grow underneath the brightly coloured bark. If you want to take cuttings, then it couldn’t be easier. In autumn, plant out pencil size cuttings into a sheltered spot in the garden. They will have rooted by the following summer.

SILK TASSEL BUSH
I have probably mentioned this bush time and time again but I still think the Garrya elliptica(silk tassel bush) is one of the most attractive winter shrubs and is definitely worth getting if you have a sheltered spot of a wall that wants covering. The shrub is best known for its long and slender catkins, which drapes the bush this month, and into February. It reaches about nine feet in height and will grow in the sun or shade. The leaves are bright, evergreen and glossy. The shrubs are not too fussy about the soil type, they will grow on chalk or poor, sandy soil. Leave unpruned and they grow very evenly. Propagation is said to be easy but I have never managed to get a cutting to root. The best way would be to layer new shoots in summer. Failing that it might be a trip to the garden centre to buy a pot grown one. Once it is in position leave it there as it transplants badly. Don’t plant it anywhere where there might be a flood!

Horticultural.