Opening its first jewel-like red flowers on bare stems in early January, Japanese quince flowers until May. Few shrubs flower for such a long period. In decades past, it was a standard item in cottage gardens because some kinds produce suckers and rooted slips were passed on to friends and neighbours.

Often simply known as ‘japonica’, the correct name for this shrub is Chaenomeles japonica. It is related to quince and it produces gnarled quince-like fruits, green at first and becoming yellow when ripe.

These are often not noticed until the leaves fall in autumn. The fruits are reasonably decorative and are usually left in place until they eventually fall off. Like true quince, when ripe they can be used to make jams and jellies.

The Japanese quince is native to Japan and the widely-cultivated species Chaenomeles speciosa is native to China. Both kinds form lax spreading spiny bushes, often three metres tall and four or five metres wide, the Japanese kind being smaller. They are not really climbers, more scrambling shrubs, and are usually grown as wall shrubs. Certainly they come into flower earlier when grown on a wall, with the buds closest to the wall being the first to open in mid-winter. It can also be grown as a mounded bush, standing under its own support in a mixed border of shrubs.

These two chaenomeles species have been hybridised by nurserymen and are called Chaenomeles x superba. They combine the smaller size of Japanese quince with the wider colour range of the Chinese species. ‘Crimson and Gold’ is very popular, with dark red flowers and golden centres on a compact bush. ‘Knap Hill Scarlet’ has large red flowers. ‘Pink Lady’ has dark pink flowers and flowers early. ‘Rowallane’ has bright red flowers. ‘Nicoline’ has large red flowers, sometimes semi-double. ‘Red Joy’ has bright red double flowers. ‘Sargentii’ has light orange-red flowers. ‘Falconet Charlot’ has double pale peach-salmon flowers. ‘Apple Blossom’ or ‘Moorloosei’ has white and pink flowers. ‘Toyo Nishiki’ is similar, opening white and fading to pink-red. The lovely white form ‘Nivalis’ has pure white flowers, and ‘Jet Trail’ is also white with pretty, rounded flowers. Most of these are still capable of making a big bush and should be kept under control from a young age. If it is let get out of control, it is hard to prune because of the sharp spines. But overgrown bushes can be cut back to ground level.

Chaenomeles is not as vigorous if planted in poor, well-drained soil in full sunshine. It is robust and grows well in poor conditions, but easier to manage. Be sure to remove or shorten some of the branches immediately after flowering each year, tying in shoots when grown on a wall and pruning out those not needed.

Also, in summer, shorten the long new shoots to about 10cm. This pruning will remove leafy shoots, reduce vigour and encourage flower buds for the following years. Do not clip chaenomeles unless it is grown as a hedge as clipping spoils its appearance, making a dense mass with the flowers hidden away inside.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangea bushes can be pruned now. But this must be done carefully. Pruning all the shoots will simply prune away the flowers because the buds are already formed. The strongest, thickest stems with the largest buds are those that will flower this year. To cut down every shoot will remove the flowers.

Instead, retain all the strongest stems and their fat flower buds, but prune out about one shoot in four of the remainder, choosing the weaker and older shoots to remove. These can be taken out right down close to ground level, and others shortened back part-way. The shoots that flower this year can be shortened back next spring, or the spring after that. While pruning is not strictly necessary for hydrangeas, the bushes can get very big and floppy if not given some pruning. To cause the least amount of disruption to flowering, it is best to do some thinning of stems in spring each year.

Trees, shrubs and roses

Plant pot-grown evergreens and shrubs of all kinds now, they usually do very well when planted as growth starts. Water well until they are settled in. Bush roses and repeat-flowering climbers should be sprayed against blackspot disease if they had it before.

Flowers

In a good spell of weather, dahlias and gladiolus can be planted directly outdoors from now on. It is really too late to sow bedding flower seeds. Wait and buy plants in May. But hardy annual flowers can still be grown as they will give a good show later in the year.

Fruit, veg and herbs

In recent weeks, there has been little opportunity to sow vegetable seeds due to the weather. Be ready to sow when conditions are right. Onion sets can be put in too. Potatoes should be planted as soon as possible. Spray fruit trees against scab disease.

Lawn

Grass growth has begun. If a lawn is not showing good green colour then it needs feeding. Mow regularly from now on. Use lawn mosskiller if there is heavy moss growth and feed the grass. Old, thin lawns can be over-sown with fresh seed on patchy areas.

Greenhouse and house plants

Prick out seedlings and be careful not to over-water. Repot house plants that are pot-bound and growing badly due to congestion. Feed and water all greenhouse plants. Sow sweet corn, courgettes and runner beans now for planting outdoors at the end of May.