Gardening for idiots: When to trim your jasmine and how to rejuvenate summer pots
The Plant Doctor's weekly tips and tricks for the green-fingered
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Q| Do I trim my jasmine now?
A It really depends on what you’ve got. If you have summer flowering Jasmine (Trachelo- spermum jasminoides), this requires little or no maintenance, but if you need to cut it back, best to do it in the spring. If you have Jasminum officinale (also summer flowering), prune after flowering. Finally, if you have winter flowering jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), prune in the spring, which again, is after flowering!
Q| My magnolia is still in full leaf but it’s bit lopsided. What should I do about pruning it?
A| Magnolias bleed if pruned in later winter or early spring, so I would prune between mid-summer and early autumn. Prune back to the stem or side branch but don’t leave stubs, as they can be a source for disease. It’s best to spread heavy pruning over a period of years.
Q| My summer pots are looking a bit rough, can I rejuvenate them?
A| If you’ve got summer bedding in, you should pull it out and replace with winter bedding, like pansies which flower through the winter. Perhaps add some winter flowering heather, or small shrubs.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments