As the year draws to a close, gardens don’t suddenly stop needing attention — but they do ask for a different kind of care. Winter gardening is less about doing more, and more about understanding what not to do.
In a recent radio slot, I answered a series of seasonal questions that come up every December without fail: poinsettias losing colour, camellias failing suddenly, hedges getting out of hand, and whether now is a sensible time to plant.
If you’re wondering what’s normal, what’s a problem, and what can safely wait, here’s some calm, practical guidance for Irish gardens at Christmas.
Will a Poinsettia Turn Red Again?
This is one I’m asked every year.
If your poinsettia has stayed healthy but turned fully green, that’s perfectly normal. The red parts aren’t flowers at all — they’re bracts, modified leaves whose job in nature is to attract pollinating insects to the tiny flowers in the centre.
In our homes, poinsettias don’t follow a Christmas calendar. They’ll usually colour up again in spring, not December. So yes, it can go red again — just not in time for Christmas.
In the meantime, a healthy green poinsettia is still a success. Most don’t make it that far.
How to Choose a Healthy Poinsettia in the Shop
Poinsettias are among the most temperamental houseplants when it comes to temperature fluctuations.
Before you buy:
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Avoid plants near opening doors or windows
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Avoid displays beside refrigerated units
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Be wary of plants sitting above fridge motors — heat behind, cold in front is a killer combination
And here’s a simple, practical test:
Give the plant a gentle shake.
If leaves start falling off in the shop, they’ll certainly fall off at home.
Camellia Suddenly Died – Disease or Lightning?
When a camellia collapses quickly, it’s alarming — but lightning strikes are extraordinarily unlikely.
In the case discussed on air, the giveaway wasn’t the dead plant — it was the neighbouring camellia. Yellowing foliage is a classic sign of root suffocation, usually caused by waterlogged soil.
Camellias need moisture, but they hate sitting in wet ground. Over time, roots rot, nutrients can’t be absorbed, and the plant fails rapidly.
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The dead camellia is unlikely to recover
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The second plant may still be saved by lifting and relocating it to freer-draining soil or a large container
Winter is actually a good time to do this, provided the ground isn’t frozen or saturated.
When Should You Cut Back a Laurel Hedge?
Laurel is tough — it will survive hard pruning — but timing still matters.
Pruning now will encourage fresh growth, and that growth is vulnerable to frost damage. The best window is:
Mid-February, as winter begins to ease.
Don’t leave it too late though. From 1 March, hedge cutting is restricted under the Wildlife Act to protect nesting birds.
If you have to cut earlier, it won’t be disastrous — but late winter is the sensible, plant-friendly option.
When Is the Best Time to Plant Hedging?
You can plant hedging at almost any time of year in Ireland, as long as:
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The soil isn’t waterlogged
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The ground isn’t frozen
The season mainly affects the type of plant available:
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November to February: bare-root hedging (cheaper, ideal for large areas)
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Spring to autumn: container-grown plants
Bare-root season is in full swing now and runs until the end of February — it’s often the best value way to establish a new hedge.
A Quieter Season But Not an Idle One
Winter gardening isn’t about constant action. It’s about observation, patience, and understanding what plants are telling you.
If you’ve a question over the holidays and can’t get answers in the usual places, Ask Peter is available on my website, a free resource built entirely on my own gardening principles and experience.
Sometimes, all gardeners need is a bit of reassurance that they’re on the right track.