Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
planting. If you enjoy the winter foliage for
too long, the old stems must be cut out
individually so as not to remove the new
growth at the same time; a time-consuming
job. In extreme climates where there is heavy
frost and snow, the foliage can be left longer
as it protects the root system below and the
new growth won't appear until later due to
the low temperatures.
Evergreen, bulbous strappy leaved plants
These plants (see Table 4.6) need very little
attention apart from the removal of spent
flower stems and lifting and dividing when
they become overcrowded. However, others
can reach the end of the season looking
tattered. The
Knifophia
(Figure 4.22) has a
Figure 4.19
For a more natural look, remove old leaves
by combing through them with your fingers.
grasses produce stolons or side stems that can
give rise to a new grass plant. These are the
toughest of grasses and extremely difficult to
kill. These grasses can be cut to the ground
safely (see Figure 4.20).
Deciduous ornamental grasses
Deciduous grasses (see Table 4.5) approach
the season in an orderly fashion. Spring
announces the new leaf growth followed by
the development of flower stems and then
flowers in autumn. At the onset of winter all
growth dies, often providing effective autumn
colour and then a straw-like winter sculpture,
the perfect foil for frost. These withered stems
need to be pruned to the ground. Care must
be taken to do this before the new spring
growth arrives leaving a significant gap in the
Figure 4.20
Grasses grown from stolons can easily
regenerate no matter how closely they are shaved. The
stolon acts as a food storage unit, and can create a new
plant at every 'joint 'on the stolon.
