Leaves of the crepe myrtle gather amidst black mondo grass

The mid-winter garden can be rather a messy place. Or wait: is that just my garden? I have been distracted of late and not spent much (any) time in my garden and it is all rather dishevelled. I plan to tackle it over the coming weeks and much of the work is, simply, tidying up. Much of the work has to do with removing leaves! I've written before about clearing the fallen leaves from deciduous trees from garden beds before they smother everything that lies beneath them. This is a job I have neglected this winter that sorely needs to be done as soon as possible. The larger of these leaves are put through the mulching machine into the compost heap; smaller ones (such as those of maples and crepe myrtles) can grow straight into the heap.

Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum can be cut back now

Pennisetum setaceum Rubrum can be cut back now

I also cut back ornamental grasses such as Miscanthus, Poa and Pennisetum to the ground at this time of year. The foliage is generally dying off and looks unsightly; also, the new foliage will come through quite soon and if the job is neglected for too long, the fresh leaves will be chopped off as well. I also think it's useful to remove the leaves of daylilies in winter. Often the leaves are manky; they will grow back again before too long. Aphids can sometimes attack the leaves so removing them will remove most of these pests and the base can be sprayed with some horticultural oil to smother the remainder. The spidery white flowers of Hymenocallis bulbs won't emerge till summer, but their leaves can look hideous now, so I generally cut them off completely now. They will regrow fairly quickly.

Haemanthus albi-flos with variegated honesty and Iris japonica

Haemanthus albi-flos with variegated honesty and Iris japonica

Some bulb foliage can be removed now too. The cute little paintbrush blooms of Haemanthus albiflos are appearing now and can be obscured by the big fleshy leaves. I remove those that are in the way, allowing the flowers to have their moment of glory. If the tattered old leaves of hellebores were not removed earlier in the year, they can be chopped off now as they too can hide the gorgeous flowers that will start to appear in a few weeks' time.

The foliage of Kniphofia Zululandii can be cut to the ground now

The foliage of Kniphofia Zululandii can be cut to the ground now

I also cut Canna plants to the ground now, along with the foliage of Kniphofia, to allow new growth to emerge, as it is generally messy and floppy at this point. The foliage of society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) and Liriope can also be cut right down now, as it can become unattractive in winter. Many other strappy-leaved plants will also benefit from having any shabby leaves removed now: they don't need an overall cutting back but just removal of yellowing leaves. Tulbaghia simmleri is an unusual winter-flowering bulb with scented, starry blooms - some of its foliage can be ugly at this time and detract from the flowers, so I tend to pull these away. Other such plants include Agapanthus, Arthropodium, Clivia, Phormium and bromeliads.

Of course, roses, Buddleja and Fuchsia are pruned in July, which will make them nice and neat and ready for regrowth. Hydrangea not cut back earlier in the year should also be done in July. I don't prune other shrubs or shrubby perennials now - I will wait till mid-August to do the ones that were not already cut back in May. None of these jobs is not very exciting but they will pay off once spring arrives. I just need the rain to stop so I can get outside!