June in the Garden
A
cool rainy May followed a hot sunny April. Whilst this gives me hope that
we won’t have a hosepipe ban this year it’s also meant that
lots of perennials, shrubs and trees have flowered ridiculously early.
Philadelphus (Mock orange) started flowering in the 1st week of May in
one garden that I look after, as did the lovely star jasmine or Trachelospermum
jasminoides which usually flowers mid to late summer. Some Iris also flowered
early this year. I was speaking with someone who’s spent years gardening
in southern France and she said that Iris sometimes had a second flush
later in the year – wouldn’t that be good? Guess we just have
to wait and see whether the rest of the summer is more like April or May.
For those of you that got ahead and got new lawns, borders and trees sorted
in early spring, the rain has been brilliant. I don’t know why,
but rainwater seems to do something to plants that plain old tap water
just doesn’t do.
As things heat up over the summer though, it’s worth remembering
to keep watering new shrubs and trees – hot windy days take loads
of water out of plants. For small to medium trees give between 2-4 cans
of water each week in dry spells – do this in one hit to encourage
roots to reach down and out in search of water. Also, water away from
the stem or trunk to encourage roots outwards. Even when it rains, bear
in mind that your trees and shrubs act as umbrellas and water often barely
penetrates the surface. A few pounds spent on landscape fabric and a few
inches of mulch, either decorative such as cobbles or well rotted compost
or manure will help too.
Other thoughts for the garden:
- Mulch containers with horticultural grit or other decorative stone – it really will cut down the watering and keep your pot plants in better shape.
- Think about vertical planting – are you getting the most from walls, trellis, fences? What about planting in the side return so your kitchen window looks onto flowers, herbs, salad etc?
- Many spring-flowering shrubs can now be pruned
- Ceanothus that have flowered should be cut back now. Cut longer stems back by a third to a half, being careful not to prune back into older wood as it rarely shoots.
- Dead-head perennials that are past their best along
- After flowering prune Clematis Montana, C. cirrhosa, C. alpina and C. macropetala if getting too big
Looking forward to some sunny days and evenings in the garden, best wishes
Lisa
For an initial consultation call Lisa on 01273 500407 or 07957 751218 or email her at info@lilybud.co.uk
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2007