December is here and before I go any further I would like to wish all who read my gardening column a Very Merry Christmas and to have a Wonderful New Year. 

Make sure you continue to remove the leaves from the lawn. If its not too cold and the lawn looks untidy give it a cut, but please bare in mind you are only taking the tips off and not scalping the grass, if there are areas which get waterlogged stick your fork in to approximately 5’’, this is a short term fix, but will help your lawn this year. Contact Fleurscape for our lawn treatments and we can help you improve your lawn. 

If you haven’t already, buy bare-rooted Trees, Roses and Shrubs, they are cheaper. Soak the roots for about an hour (but not any longer as it will start to rot) and plant, scatter in some bonemeal to help strengthen the roots. Don’t let them sit around for days they should be planted as soon as you get them.

This is the month for some special flowers to come out. The Oregon Grape aka Mahonia will be out, lovely Yellow Vanilla scented flowers grow amongst sharp, spiky tough leaves. Also out this month is Christmas Box Fantastically named Sarcococca shows its worth, delicate white flowers pack a punch with its scent, take a stem or two into the house, this plant is great for a shady spot!! 

Apple Trees can be pruned this month along with Grape Vines. Black currents can be also pruned, cut down to some bottom buds on the darkest stems (These were the fruit stems this year and blackcurrants fruit on new wood) 

If your lawn is frozen try not to walk on it, as you will actually break the grass blades, if you need to regularly walk over to the shed why not consider placing a pathway to it. Give us at Fleurscape a call and we can give you a price.