Seasonal client
Now, I obviously prefer solid, regular clients but some of my seasonal, occasional clients are hilarious. They call me when their front lawn is covered in Katsura drop and the neighbours start whispering. And just last week I finished off one of these clients; their back patio and lane were covered in maple leaves so they needed help before the holidays.
So I went at it with rakes and garden bags. And when the beds were cleared of debris, I weeded and cultivated them. Then I took some liberties with their shrubs. Let’s take a look.
Shrubs
I noticed a Fatsia japonica by the fence with one large stem sticking out, completely bare. It wasn’t very inspiring and I suspect that the stem got hammered last winter. So I brought out my new and very sharp Silky Big Boy folding hand saw and took out the offending stem.
When you do this, do it very carefully so you don’t behead the green foliage at the base. We need these leaves to push out next spring. Never rush your cuts.
Not far from the Fatsia were two specimens of Spirea japonica. Now, you don’t have to prune them but if you don’t they will just continue to grow and get bigger. Since both shrubs are close to the sitting area, I took them down by half.
Simply grab a handful of stems and take them down by half. Just watch your fingers as you cut the woody stems. Make sure you create a mound-looking shrub; it looks more natural. Do this every fall and the shrub won’t get out of hand.
Spireas give you nice flowers, second blooms if you cut them back soon after flowering and decent fall colors. I like them.
One last shrub caught my attention nearby because one half of it was dead. Remember, your garden should be healthy and beautiful; it should inspire people. So dead stems must go.
Check out my YouTube short below.
Conclusion
When you’re putting your gardens to bed this fall, take a good look at your shrubs. They might need some attention.
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