As spring emerges, the bright sun and warmer temperatures are luring more people out into their gardens. Different garden tasks are season-dependent, and in April, one essential activity for gardeners is highlighted.
The Royal Horticultural Society projects that around 30 million Brits will be engaging in garden care by 2025. Venturing outdoors offers numerous advantages, such as increased physical activity, enhanced mental well-being, and the opportunity to absorb more vitamin D from sunlight. Whether nurturing shrubs, fruits, vegetables, or flowers, these plants can bring vibrant colors and pleasant scents to your outdoor space.
Popular flower varieties in the UK include roses, lilies, daffodils, and bluebells, many of which naturally flourish in British gardens and bloom during spring. For those looking to cultivate larger flowering bushes, rhododendrons and azaleas are top choices. These plants come in various lively hues and thrive in the cool, moist British climate.
To maintain these coveted flowers, expert advice from BBC presenter and gardening specialist Monty Don suggests deadheading them in April. Deadheading involves removing fading or dead flowers from plants. Though it may seem like a minor task, eliminating spent blooms can significantly enhance the quality of new blossoms. This practice redirects energy and nutrients to the blooming plant heads, promoting healthier growth. Additionally, deadheading helps tidy up the garden by preventing petal scattering. Specifically for flowers like rhododendrons and azaleas, deadheading prevents them from looking disheveled.
In his blog, Monty emphasizes the importance of deadheading for extending the Rhododendron and Azalea season and preserving plant energy for growth rather than seed production. He advises against using shears and instead recommends gently snapping off flower trusses between finger and thumb.
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