Trees, Shrubs, and Roses Care for April

Watering and Monitoring Growth

• Check newly planted trees and shrubs for signs of water shortage, especially during dry spells.
• Water heavily to reach the roots when needed.
• Ensure young trees have weed-free conditions for the first five years and a weed-free circle of at least one meter in diameter.

Pruning and Trimming

• Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia, kerria, and spring spirea as they finish flowering, if necessary.
• Trim hedges that were not clipped earlier or have made early growth.

Rose Care

• Spray roses against blackspot disease regularly, especially before and after wet weather.
• Watch for a buildup of greenflies on roses.
• Prune rose bushes without delay when growth is underway.

Planting and Transplanting

• Plant broad-leaved and coniferous evergreens when sap is rising for quicker root development.
• There is still time to plant root-balled evergreens as most will be coming into growth.
• Magnolias can be planted now in flower as roots are active around the same time.

Maintenance and Support

• Control weeds and grass at the base of young trees to remove competition.
• Check ties on wall shrubs to ensure they are not too tight as shoots expand during the growing season.
• Check ties on all staked trees before the new season expansion.
• Pot on any cuttings of trees and shrubs taken last summer and autumn if they are showing new growth.