March is the month to get the growing season off to a good start. Hardy perennials can be cut back to the ground and the vegetable patch cleared. I also do three pruning jobs this month: I tidy and cut back clematis, prune the shrubby dogwoods and do a serious job on the bamboo before it creeps up in the night and strangles us in our bed.

Clematis are often considered hard to prune, or at least difficult to know how to prune so they can be both kept in check and flower well. A good rule of thumb is to prune the later, usually larger flowering varieties in March back to a bud, about knee height. You will cut loads off and it will take you a while if it is a well established plant, but this will encourage flowers all the way up rather than a few at the top you can’t see properly. Earlier clematis such as Montana or Armandii don’t need pruning unless you need the space. If that is the case, you can prune hard after they have flowered. I have literally cut an Armandii down to the ground and it regrew very well. A spade or two of fresh bonfire ash applied as a mulch now will encourage flower buds to form.

We have several of the multi stemmed dogwoods which we grow partly for their brightly coloured bark in winter . To keep the striking red and yellow bark coming, I prune about a third of the oldest, dullest wood out right down to the ground. This means in a three year period you, in effect, get a new plant. Again, give them a feed as it’s pretty hard treatment so they will appreciate a little tlc.

Bamboos are so often left to make boring and congested clumps, so again, we take drastic action at this time of year. We dig up canes that are straying outside their allotted space and thin out all the weaker growing canes. Bamboo grows the same diameter stem throughout its life; if it comes through thin and weakly, it will stay that way. We then stand back and take a look and, if necessary, cut more out, right down to the ground. Then we cut off all the lower growing side shoots so by now you can see through the clump and really appreciate the lovely canes. By the time we have finished the clump is often half the size. And we have a pile of canes to grow sweet peas and beans up. The very low growing varieties I cut down to the ground all over, it soon comes back fresh and green.

Virburnum beetle is now rated as a significant pest among gardeners. It discolours and munches through the leaves and can completely defoliate a large bush so it’s worth keeping a close eye on and treating at the first sign of trouble. Both organic and non organic treatment is available as a spray, best done mid April. Keep your eye out for those bright red lily beetles as well. I missed a few last year and most of my lilies are now history.

Enjoy Spring in your garden; I hope the spring bulbs and flowers are helping to raise your spirits during these hard times.