Gardening Begins in Late February

Gardening begins in late February.
submitted by Mary Sue Colaizzi, Sussex County

On the next sunny day:

finish cutting back the liriope (Liriope) to 3 inches.

severely cut back the trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) to the main trunk--blooms on new wood

cut back the butterfly bushes (Buddleja),to 8 inches --blooms on new wood

water winter containers-- have to do that once a week when there is no rain.

clean up the dead iris leaves-- the dead leaves harbor the iris borer eggs ( the kiss of death for iris) so it's important to keep these cleaned-up.

Enjoy winter blooming plants announcing the distant arrival of spring.

Favorites shrubs in Sussex County (and my garden) are witch hazel (Hamamelis), paper bush (Edgeworthia chrysantha), winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima) and flowering quince (Chaenomeles speciosa).

Favorite flowers are hellebores (Helleborus) and snow drops (Galanthus). Snow drops are said to bloom in late February but mine don't come-up until late March. Maybe I have a different

species--don't know as the bulbs were given to me by a neighbor).

Photo is Paper bush in Mary Sue's garden