Flowers, shrubs and trees

Perennials (winter surviving plants)

Give your soil a boost of nutrients with a green manure. Scatter seeds over the surface of the soil and water in well.

The weevil and its larvae can be one of the most destructive pests in a garden. Use biological controls (available from Homebase) around vulnerable plants before the grubs begin to hatch.

Carry on removing dead flower heads from plants in bloom.

Roses

If you see large purple spots on the surface of your rose leaves, it's probably suffering from black spot. If you notice raised orange patches, it’s suffering from rust. Remove any infected leaves and burn straight away to stop it spreading. Roses growing in dry sheltered areas (against walls) are prone to powdery mildew. Keep roots moist by using organic matter in autumn and applying mulches in spring.

Shrubs

Give lavender a light trim as the flowers fade – it stops the plant from becoming leggy and helps trigger flowering next year.

Water and feed the shrubs regularly. And don’t forget to use rainwater and ericaceous feed for plants like Rhododendrons.

Trees

Water all newly planted trees well for the first year – it takes at least a year for new roots to develop deep into the soil for the tree to be fully settled in.