Golden chain trees (Laburnum spp.) Looks like a lovely place to visit and so wildlife-friendly as well. Thanks Paul. Thank you, it is a hugely photogenic place and the hard part was choosing which images to use! Between the lily pads we  were lucky to spot two newts swimming near the surface. He employed Edward Milner, apprentice to Joseph Paxton, to help design the formal garden around Bodnant Hall, including a Laburnum Arch based on pergola walkways of the 16th and 17th centuries. On the lily pads that adorn the formal pools of the Terrace gardends were more damsel flies, the males gripping onto their captive females preparing to take off for the task of the depositing of eggs. An intriguing archway in a stone wall tempting further exploration, Blue flag irises amid the curious flowers of Nectaroscordum siculum. 1. You should always prune your plant in early spring. Pruning of a Laburnum Tree Laburnum trees should be pruned in late summer but they can be pruned up until Christmas. They can cope with poor soil but do best in well drained and fertile soil. Posted by theresagreen in Nature, Nature of Wales, nature photography, blue damselfly, Bodnant Gardens, common blue damselfly, common newt, damselfly, gingko biloba tree, National Trust. Prune in summer, after all blooms have faded. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. The 1/3 rule can be applied to most shrubs and small ornamental trees, but for larger shade trees, pruning should be limited to no more than 1/4 of the total branches. This labour of love untying, cutting back and re-tying each branch to the frame of the 55m-long pergola will take two of them up to three weeks (weather permitting). If youâre pruning viburnums to restrain or shape their growth, the timing for when to prune viburnum is right after flowering. This labour of love untying, cutting back and re-tying each branch to the frame of the 55m-long pergola will take two of them up to three weeks (weather permitting). At Bodnant the trees are taken off the arch and laid flat on the ground. How to prune â use the right techniques and tools Too often, homeowners ignore pruning for several years, which causes some . In many cases, pruning just after flowering but before the setting of seedpods is sufficient. Of course, much of viburnum pruning depends on the variety grown too. Having fulfilled the wish to see the magnificent, but artfully manipulated arch, I was keen to explore the wilder side of the rest of the grounds. Dispose of pruning waste where animals and children won't come in contact with it. How it looked back in mid-January this year: I had been a little concerned that we may have missed the arch at its best, but fortunately the cooler than usual Spring weather had delayed the event and it turned out our timing was perfect. Beneath a canopy of white blossomed rhododendron, Red-flowered rhododendrons glow amongst the cool greenery. Pruning a laburnum on an arch: this is tackled in early winter whilst the tree is dormant. Cut out these branches at their base. Nice post – I’ve scheduled a tweet to link to it from @PaulSeligNature. The narrative board that explains the pruning process. A new year has officially begun - our gardeners have started the January job of pruning the Laburnum Arch. We prune our Laburnum arch in January of each year, cutting out all dead or dying wood and one third (of the overall length of the arch) of the three-year-old stems right back to the main branch. Early bulbs, such as daffodils, will flower before the trees, while tulips and alliums bloom at the same time. I didn’t have my long lens with me so this is the closest I could get leaning over the edge of the pool, but I think it’s a Common or Smooth Newt. However, when to prune truly depends on your region. Wildflowers of Coastal Paths, Cliffs and Dunes, https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=25659682%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&text=bodnant&view_all=1, Follow everyday nature trails on WordPress.com, The Walk of the Monarch Butterfly-Sendero de la Mariposa Monarca. The females of this species occur in two colour forms; some are blue like the males, others, as here are green. This encourages more flowers. Pruning the laburnum arch. This deciduous tree grows well in mild U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 6 through 8, although it can tolerate warmer climates if the summer weather is mild. Inspect the tree for crossed branches or those rubbing together. Sprinkle a couple of handfuls of blood, fish and bone into the surrounding soil and work in gently with a trowel. Viburnums typically form their flower buds for the following year during the summer after flowering. Rinse the shears or saw in a dilute bleach solution after each cut to prevent the spread of disease. We concluded this tour of my favourite garden savouring the aromas of some of the newly-opening blooms in the rose garden which will be glorious in a few weeks time….. there’s always something here to tempt you back. When to prune â prune at the right time 3. Prune back to strong new side shoots in late July, early August. There’s something very painterly about gardens like this, which I find enormously engaging. A new year has officially begun - our gardeners have started the January job of pruning the Laburnum Arch.