When Gwen Stefani's not performing or nurturing up-and-coming talent as a judge on The Voice, she's tending to her backyard – an endeavor that is clearly paying off, as she recently revealed with a video of her updated blooms.
'2024 is blooming already,' she declared in the video caption, and it's an apt statement considering the array of cut winter flowers she is successfully growing, from scented pink garden roses to peonies. While winter can be a tricky season for upkeep with these springy fleurs, Gwen uses a few worthwhile techniques to keep her garden growing.
Maintaining delicate but bold dahlias over winter requires safeguarding against colder climates, which is key to ensuring longevity and optimal growth.
'In her reel, Gwen shows how she lifted her healthy, firm dahlia tubers out of the soil and cut the foliage back once the growing season had ended,' says H&G 's Head of Gardens and floral expert Rachel Bull. 'This is a really good idea to ensure your dahlias are protected over winter.'
These beautiful blooms are ideal for cutting and displaying in the home – to keep them photo-ready, there is an essential extra step that Gwen follows.
'Gwen grows her cut flowers in raised beds, which will have helped contribute to the success of her flowers, as the soil has more nutrients and better drainage, and plants are less likely to be choked by invasive weeds,' Rachel explains.
These captivating dahlias add a touch of vibrancy and volume to any garden, reaching peak bloom from July to October.
Gwen also proves that when it comes to growing peonies, patience is key. 'These are very incredible, and I've never done them. They take ten years to mature, so I'll see you in 10 years,' she joked as she showed off her pink petals.
'It’s true that tree peonies are slow-growing and take 10-15 years to reach full maturity,' says Rachel. 'Thankfully, they will still provide her with stunning, fragrant blooms in the meantime.'
Featuring pink petals and a yellow center, these peonies scream summer. The best part? They bloom early, beginning in June and growing up to 24 inches.
Planting cut flowers is a process, but seeing the outcome is well worth the wait – and might even make you a pro in the garden like Gwen, naturally.
