Tony's Tips - February 2026
It’s been a hot, dry January and many plants may be dehydrated and in shock from the heat. If your plants look “burnt”, the solution is simple: water, prune, feed, then water again. With a little care, most plants will recover quickly, it’s amazing how a bit of love can bring them back to life and looking beautiful again.
Our Echinacea are looking fantastic, thriving in the summer heat, with more varieties to carry colour into autumn. Standouts include Sweet Fuchsia, Pomegranate and Mineola: all bright, colourful and hardy. February also marks the start of Japanese Anemones (Windflowers), perfect for adding colour to shaded and semi-shaded areas.
Things to Do:
1. Check for citrus leaf miner
Sometime this month, Citrus Leaf Miner may appear on new citrus growth, starting as fine squiggly lines and developing into twisted, distorted leaves if left untreated. Spray with Pest Oil weekly to suffocate the miners and protect healthy new growth.
2. Prune & feed
Lightly prune and feed Camellia Sasanqua, a hard prune will remove this autumn’s flower buds. February is the last chance to prune hedging plants and still get a strong, bushy recovery before winter. Early in the month, you can also prune perennials and roses, then feed to enjoy fresh growth and flowers through autumn. Prune traditional hydrangeas if you haven’t already.
3. Plant sprouts
This is the month to plant Brussel Sprouts. Later this month we will have Pansies, Violas and the first of the new season Cyclamen
4. Fertilise
Cymbidiums are thinking about flowering now and need a high K flower oriented fertiliser and daily watering to ensure Winter/Spring flowers.
5. Check for pests
The dry weather has stressed plants and allowed Azalea Lace Bug to impact on Azaleas, Rhodos and Viburnums. Control with Conguard or Bug Killa.
Lawn Beetle Grub also prevalent in some lawns causing dead patches and attracting crows and magpies. Control quickly.