Oxford Reporter

March Gardening Tips 2022

At this time of year, it seems that much of my landscape is beige! As an art major, who loves color, this is beginning to weigh on me. Luckily the weather forecast shows that we are on the cusp of warmer weather, and dare I say, it looks like spring is heading our way! As I drive around Oxford, I’m already seeing blooms on saucer magnolias, flowering quince, plum trees and forsythia. (With the crazy swings in temperatures, my poor forsythias have been blooming off and on since December!) It also won’t be long until we see blooms on redbuds, cherry trees, and pear trees. 

  There are many Bradford Pear or as they are also known Callery Pear trees that have been planted throughout the southeast, and Lafayette County is no exception. With their uniform shape, beautiful white blooms and red fall foliage, they became a very popular ornamental tree. Unfortunately, after a number of years of being sterile, the trees began to cross pollinate in the 2000s and bear fruit. As a result, birds have spread seeds from their fruit throughout the surrounding areas, and these trees have now become an invasive species competing with native trees for resources. As you drive through the area, this month, you will see them blooming in many wooded areas in the county. Although they are beautiful, if you are looking to plant trees this spring, please choose an alternative species.    

March is a good time to implement new plans for your landscape. Spring temperatures and rains make conditions conducive for setting out new shrubs and trees, and it’s also an ideal time for moving shrubs. The success of moving shrubs hinges on getting a good root ball when you dig it and providing adequate care while it is reestablishing. I’ve found it beneficial to apply root stimulator when planting new shrubs or moving shrubs. Just carefully follow the directions on the product that you use. This is also a good time to divide plants that multiply such as cannas, grasses, and coreopsis. It’s also time to cut back mondo grass and liriope to 4-6 inches tall and remove the clippings. English ivy should also receive a hard pruning at this time. March is also time to prune altheas (Rose of Sharon) and crape myrtles. I want to stress that pruning crape myrtles is NOT necessary, and cutting them all the way back to their thick trunks is referred to as “crape murder”! The purpose of pruning them is to maintain their natural shape and prevent cross branching, so they really only require minimal pruning, and “yes” they will still bloom just as beautifully. To correctly prune them, cut off branches that are growing inward and branches that are rubbing against other branches. 

 A quick note for bird lovers:  If you have nandinas in your yard that have berries on them, please remove the berries and discard. It won’t be long before the cedar waxwings will be migrating through our area, and they are gorge feeders. Typically, you’ll see them feeding off the berries of hollies and junipers, but they will also eat the berries off nandina shrubs which are deadly for these beautiful birds.  

 Happy Gardening,

 Karen Travillo

 Master Gardener Lafayette County

*Master Gardeners are always available to help you with landscaping or gardening needs. Just call the Lafayette County Extension Office to set up an appointment. 662.234.4451

*Master Gardeners will also be holding a series of Spring Gardening Lectures at The Lafayette County and Oxford Public Library. This month’s lecture will be on March 3 at 12:00PM and features guest speaker: Ashley Jordan Hill from The Twisted Twig speaking about floral design. These lectures are free to the public.

Original source can be found here.