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MISCANTHUS PRUNING. PHOTO BY GENEVIEVE SCHMIDT
January Gardening To-Do List By Genevieve Schmidt
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stalks, at a certain point they begin to crumple and spread leafy bits all over the landscape. Once they start making a mess, use handheld or electric hedging shears to whack them to 3 to 10 inches tall, lower for small grasses and higher for the big ones. Maiden grass (Miscanthus), fountain grass (Pennisetum), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa) and feather reed grass (Calamagrostis) are the most common varieties which are dormant at this time of year. Prune the old foliage off Lenten rose. There are two schools of thought for how to prune Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), which is just beginning to unfurl its flowers. Lenten rose sends up a number of bare flower stalks right now, then follows it up with a flush of new leaves in March. Some people appreciate the extra greenery the leaves provide through January and February, but those old leaves can also harbor pests and disease. If the leaves look damaged in any way, cut them at the base and let those bare stems emerge as the star of the show. They will look innocent and fragile, like woodland bulbs. If your leaves are perfectly healthy, you can let them go another couple of months, but do try to remove them before the new leaves come out, because otherwise continued on next page
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his is certainly the coldest winter I can remember since I’ve been in Humboldt County — so chilly that even plants I think of as being hardy are showing serious damage from frost. Though we have all of January’s usual tasks (pruning, pruning and — oh yeah, pruning!), we should give our plants a little extra love through this cold spell so they’ll make it through to spring. Here’s what’s on the agenda for January’s garden. Water your plants. I know — crazy, right? I’m sure your hose is stashed in the garage with the swimsuits and the Slip’N Slide, but it’s time to dig that sucker out. We’ve been having an extraordinarily dry stretch, and lack of moisture can make the freezing temps all the more damaging to tender plants. While you’re at it, pay special attention to anything planted under the eaves, since even if it does rain those plants will still be dry. Don’t prune frost-damaged plants. Though it’s tempting to get rid of all of that yucky foliage, those shriveled leaves provide a protective layer against additional frost damage. If you can stand it, leave your plants be until late March. Cut back dormant grasses. Though I love the winter interest ornamental grasses provide with their swaying beige
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northcoastjournal.com • NORTH COAST JOURNAL • THURSDAY, JAN. 16, 2014
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