THIS week sees the first open garden of the season with Fairview in Smelthouses opening tomorrow, and a new gardening series starting on BBC2 on Wednesday.

Out in the garden, things are on the move and there are a few catch-up jobs to be done before another month has passed by. Fences and walls need to be attended to as soon as possible as plants are already beginning to grow and will soon get in the way. Put up new fencing or mend any broken sections, remembering to use plant-friendly paint if you plan to put on some colour. Attach training wires at the same time so they are ready to use when climbers or wall shrubs need to be tied in.

I notice that our Clematis 'Star of India' has grown several new shoots over the past few weeks and needs to be cut back. I take it hard back to a shoot about 30cm from the ground as it is such a vigorous grower with strong stems and masses of wonderful warm, deep-purple flowers.

The blooms get mildewed towards the end of the summer but this can be forgiven after the weeks of pleasure. Most late-flowering clematis can be cut hard back now to encourage production of the new shoots that will bear this year's flowers. Less rampant growers such as the viticellas can be tidied up with a light prune and cut harder back every four or five years.

While the secateurs are out, late-flowering shrubs such as Buddleia davidii and Tamarix pentandra can be cut hard back leaving only two or three buds on last year's growth. This is especially useful to keep growth in check in small garden or to rejuvenate a neglected shrub.

However, if a bigger shrub is wanted, cut a proportion of stems hard back and trim the remainder to varying lengths to form a large, well-shaped shrub. This works particularly well with Buddleia davidii. Then tidy the soil around the base of the shrubs taking care not to disturb new shoots and bulbs, and sprinkle a handful of general fertiliser around the area.

NEW FLOWERS

A new strain of statice raised by tissue culture can be up to five times more productive than seed-raised types, according to Elm House Nursery at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. Statice is a hardy perennial often used as a long-lasting cut flower that also dries well and keeps its colour for months.

Each plant of the new statice is capable of producing up to 30 flowering stems, says nursery director Peter McDermott, who adds that "the varieties selected for our customers are outstanding garden performers and are resistant to botrytis".

Elm House has also introduced four varieties of spray asters for 2002 that begin flowering in late summer and last well into autumn. They are offered as separate colours, pale pink, white, cerise and violet, or as a collection.

For a copy of the 2002 Elm House catalogue telephone 01945 466808.

STATICE OFFER

ELM House Nursery is offering two money off collections of Statice plants to Evening Press readers. One plant each of Snow Birds, pure white flowered; Donau Birds, pale violet and Giant Blue Birds, rich blue-mauve is priced £8.90 inc. p&p, a saving of £1 on the catalogue price. Two plants of each variety is priced at £13.85 inc. p&p, a saving of £4 on the list price.

To order either collection call the credit card/debit card hotline 01945 466808 or send a cheque/postal order made out to Elm House Nursery together with a return name and address to Evening Press Statice Offer, Elm House Nursery, FREEPOST PE141, 23, Regal road, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, PE13 2BR.

Updated: 12:09 Saturday, February 23, 2002