29 September - 07 October 2007

List of garden centres participating in National Conifer Week 2007, 29 September - 7 October 2007 - NCW participants.  Full contact details are available from the home page of the HTA website, www.the-hta.org.uk, click onto Business Search.

Get Your Garden Into Shape During National Conifer Week

Conifers are a fantastic addition to any garden. They provide all year round interest because of their differing textures, structure and colours ranging from blue/grey, green, to dazzling yellow/gold, as well as offering protection for your more delicate plants during the winter months.

Looking after conifers is simple as they are amongst the most versatile of plants. A little time spent pruning and trimming will ensure they are maintained at the desired size and shape and remain healthy.

There is a conifer to suit any size garden and container, and they change colour throughout the seasons so they stay vibrant whilst other plants and shrubs are dormant.

If you already have conifers or you are thinking of planting one of over 500 species available from garden centres, then now is the right time to find out more.

The Horticultural Development Council (HDC) and Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) are celebrating National Conifer Week (29 September – 7 October 2007), which is organised by the Association of British Conifer Growers. So that everyone can join in, a DVD is available explaining how to prune and trim your conifers, as well as, choose the best varieties for your garden. 

Acquiring the DVD

The DVD is available from the HTA priced £1.99 each. A video is also available priced at £3.49 each. For an order form please email helena.higley@the-hta.org.uk or ring her on 0118 930 3132

Pruning and Trimming Tips

Conifers growing in containers should have their tips regularly pruned to prevent spreading and create a smaller overall plant.

Conifers planted as a hedge should be pruned before the onset of winter. This way it gives them a chance for a little growth before the temperature drops. Time spent shaping them now means that they won’t grow too tall or wide. It also gives them a chance to thicken out so they look denser.

Upright conifers that are growing too vigorously can be pruned with secateurs in order to take out the thick stems. Thereafter, a light trim with hand shears will create a natural look.

Ground-covering conifers, such as junipers, can be prodigious growers. Pruning annually as the new shoots start coming through in spring will ensure that as they grow, any visible gaps will be covered.

As new growth won’t arise from older wood, it is better not to prune conifers to a point beyond the emergence of the green or golden foliage.

John Adlam, managing director of Dove Associates, a horticultural consultancy that advises the gardening industry said: “People are often reluctant to prune conifers”. John’s motto is ‘if in doubt trim it out’.

He went on to add that they’re quite resilient to trimming and making the effort in the first couple of years will allow them to bush out to become more dense.

“Depending on the variety of conifer and its size you will need to select the right tool. Some of the dwarf conifers respond well to regular trimming with a florist snip or even kitchen scissors. As they get bigger then obviously you will need tools to match, moving up in size from secateurs to hedge trimmers and long reach loppers for larger or more established varieties.

“Your conifers will also benefit from a regular feed. If it is a young plant getting established then a fertiliser, such as Growmore is good, but established and older plants respond well to a product that has less phosphate. Feeding will give the young conifer a better quality of life, as well as make it easier to maintain.”

For more information on how to look after conifers simply click the link below:

http://www.plantforlife.info/pages/home.asp?m=805&s=810

PlantforLife is an initiative spearheaded by the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) aimed at raising the awareness of plants and the role that they can play in enhancing people's quality of life.