February / March

Plant
  • Pansies.
  • March 20: start annual flower seeds.
  • Lawns can be overseeded this month.
  • Plant and transplant boxwood. Do not plant around their base as they are shallow rooted.
  • Plant bare root shrubs after soaking for several hours.
  • Plant fruit trees, dogwood, magnolia, and other deciduous trees and shrubs.
  • Perennials can be divided before new growth starts.
Prune 
  • In late February/early March, prune: Buddleia, caryopteris, artemesia (After buds break. Do not cut wood without buds), perovskia to 6-12", calicarpa to 18".
  • Prune and shape late spring/early summer bloomers, such as althea, pink and red spireas, and abelia (January-February), before growth starts.
  • Ornamental grasses: cut down to 6" and liriope to 3".
  • Clematis: Cut back Sweet Autumn clematis to 12", C. Jackmanni to 18". Type I: Do not prune. Type II: clean up dead and cut back tips 6-8" to 2 strong buds. Type III: cut back to 2 strong buds at 12-30" above ground.
  • Hydrangea arborescens (Annabelle): after the leaves begin to show, cut to 12" or to the ground and fertilize lightly. Hydrangea paniculata (Grandiflora, Pee Gee, and Tardiva) can be pruned heavily now.
  • Roses: prune when forsythia bloom. Hybrid teas to 5 healthy canes 18-24" long. Cut to an outward facing bud and remove the inward facing bud.
  • Fruit trees (February) and raspberries (remove old canes). 
Fertilize
  • Trees (deciduous and evergreen), in late February fertilize at the drip line with 10-10-10 or organic Hollytone, one handful/1" caliper.
  • Peonies: late March fertilize with triple phosophate.
  • Shrubs: fertilize with 10-10-10 when new growth starts.
  • Daphne: fertilize after bloom.
  • Bulbs: fertilize as new growth appears. Tulips and alliums with Bulb Booster (9-9-6), lilies with 5-10-10 or 10-10-10.
  • Perennials: fertilize when new growth starts with Plantone or 5-10-5.
  • Clematis: give a handful of potash for color, and compost (4" from stems). Clematis are heavy feeders but. Do Not Feed clematis when they are flowering.
Chores
  • Clean up and weed garden beds.
  • Use dormant oil spray (February) on fruit trees, lilacs, roses, cotoneaster, boxwood, yellowwood, and euonymous to prevent mite and scale problems by killing the eggs. Apply on a sunny day when the temp is above 45 but below 70.
  • Clean birdhouses.
  • Turn your compost pile.
Tips
  • Wear gloves when handling peat moss especially that used in packing plants for shipment. A serious fungal infection called sporotrichosis can be contracted if you have a cut or scratch on your hand.
  • Never go outside without your pruning shears in your hand!
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Thanks to Suzanne Aiello who compiled these tips for the Dolley Madison Garden Club.