Winter Water Garden: Remove the worst of the autumn leaves as they fall into the pond – a lightweight net such as a fruit cage net will keep out the worst of them. Float a couple of tennis balls on the water as this will help absorb the pressure from the ice during the frosty weather. The Lawn: Remove any leaves that have accumulated as they kill off the lawn below leaving ugly yellow or brown patches. In warm, damp weather keep an eye out for fungal diseases such as red thread (yellow patches with red threads up to one inch long) and dollar spot (small round yellow / brown spots the size of a coin). If you find any disease, treat it with a fungicide. The Rose: Prune hybrid tea shrub branches back by 1/2 to 1/3 to reduce wind rock and firm soil at the neck. Ornamental Trees: Continue regular clipping of topiary. Knock off any snow that falls on shrubs as when it melts it may break the branches. Remove any dead wood and crossing stems or weak forks. Our last update on Sudden Oak Death remains unchanged. Please keep a sharp look out for the disease as it is not only affecting oak trees: it is also affecting rhododendrons and viburnums throughout England. It is caused by Phytophthora ramorum and mature trees wilt and die within months following infection. Symptoms are branches dieing back from the tips, very often in a short time, ending in the death of the plant. Remove the plant and burn it on site as soon as possible. Do not take it to other gardens / nurseries for identification. If the presence of the disease is suspected on these species contact DEFRA Plant Health and Seeds Inspectorate, tel: 0190 445 5174; for oaks contact the Forestry Commission Plant Health Service, tel: 0845 367 3787. Further information can be obtained at www.forestry.gov.uk/planthealth or www.defra.gov.uk/planth/phindx.htm. Ornamental Shrubs: Remove suckers from grafted plants and prune out reverted shoots on variegated species. Carry our formative training and pruning. Knock off any snow that falls on shrubs as when it melts it may break the branches. Back