Innholdsfortegnelse for 8-Jun-2019 i Amateur Gardening

A GARDEN is about much more than the plants, because it is the framework your plants grow within that gives your outdoor space its atmosphere, feeling, shape and definition. These drier and warmer days before the height of summer are an ideal opportunity to repair and preserve your garden structures that have borne the brunt of winter weather. It feels like a chore when there are more plant-related things to be getting on with, but it will be worth it. Fences, sheds, greenhouses and furniture that have been weather-beaten won’t improve without your input, and the sooner it is done the less follow-on damage is likely to happen. I usually start with the patio as it is close to the house and therefore more visible. Sweep it clean and use…

Plants can be as destructive as bad weather, especially those that force their way through fences and decking or cling to walls, sucking out moisture and weakening the structure. Two of the most ubiquitous in our garden are ivy and campanula. The ivy romps away in neglected areas and although it offers sanctuary to insects and invertebrates, it does need keeping in check. Campanula spreads like wildfire and smothers brickwork. If left alone for long enough it will suck moisture from the plaster, causing it to crumble. I rarely use weedkiller on campanula because the bees love this plant. As with ivy, it is relatively easy to pull away from walls and woodwork, but in extreme cases use a tough weedkiller such as non-glyphosate Roundup.…

NOW the temperature has risen to reliable levels, our scented geranium cuttings are ready to plant out. They spent the winter in the greenhouse before I potted them into individual pots in spring, then moved them into a cold frame in early May. I have also planted out some seed-sown marigolds, dotting them around our raised beds in the hope that the chemicals they give off will keep whitefly away from our tomato plants. Scented pelargoniums are one of my favourite summer plants. Their foliage is delicious to brush against, releasing a perfume that is usually either lemony or spicily rose-like, and their flowers are often more delicate than those of their zonal cousins. Typical of the pelargonium tribe, they aren’t hardy and need protecting through winter in a frost-free…

A RESIDENT living in an Edwardian semi, with a large garage at the far end of the back garden, has torn up the wide, tarmacked drive to extend the area for plants. Tarmac and footings to a depth of a foot were dug out, and the subsoil dug over, before infilling with topsoil from Rolawn. This was an expensive job, and something for home owners to remember, before losing soil to hard landscaping. I well recall my old boss saying, “Land is not like linoleum; they are not making any more!” “Trained trees do need regular tying in through the summer” The imported soil has proved very fertile, and the mixed flower border replacing the drive is now well established. My opinion was sought before getting trained fruit trees for…

8: Introduction to Dry-Stone Walling: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/ gardens/harlow-carr 8: Beekeeping Demonstration: RHS Harlow Carr 8: Plant Hunters’ Fair: Bosworth Battlefield, Market Bosworth, CV13 0AD. planthuntersfairs.co.uk 8-9: Meet the Bonsai Experts: RHS Harlow Carr 8-9: Open Garden Squares Weekend: Offering the public free access to some of London’s most exciting, private and unique gardens, with more than 130 open to the public.opensquares.org 9: Plant Hunters’ Fair: Norton Priory, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 1SX 13-16: BBC Gardeners’ World Live: NEC Birmingham, North Avenue, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT. ✆ 0844 338 0338, bbcgardenersworldlive.com 14-15: Make a Willow Pig Sculpture: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor 15: Beekeeping Demonstration: RHS Harlow Carr…

I GOT into some terrible trouble once, at a gardening talk about gardening without chemical props. A gentleman said that “I’d skated over slugs” and I heard myself say, “We’ve all skated over slugs, sir.” I don’t know where that cheeky answer came from but, as I’ve often said, I don’t use anything to kill troublesome slugs, apart from the occasional large boot. At talks I’ll often get an indignant lady who’s had all her petunias eaten, and so many people, these days, have forgotten how important hardening off is. Anything that comes straight out of a greenhouse (or garden centre) has super-soft foliage that will prove irresistible to gastropods. Slugs are far less fond of tough and stringy foliage, so giving vulnerable plants a few days on a garden…

Nicotiana ‘Lime Green’ Pools of fragrant lime-green flowers set against darker foliage at 24in (60cm) high will sit well alongside yellow, and also contrast brilliantly with purples and blues. Canna Tropicanna Peachy-orange flowers open against jazzy leaves in stripes of green, purple, orange and pink. Plants rise to 5ft (1½m). Remember to lift, pot and bring under frost-free glass for winter. Coleus ‘Wizard Mixed’ Often called flame or painted nettles, these showy foliage plants offer a wide variety of patterned leaves in shades of purple, orange and lime. Salvia Big Blue Generous clumps of aromatic foliage are joined by spikes of rich blue flowers from July to autumn, reaching 3ft (90cm) tall. Try bold clumps in among a sea of citrus-tinted blooms.…

Dessert apples: thin to leave one fruitlet every 3in (7½cm) of stem. Cooking apples: leave one fruitlet every 7in (18cm) of stem. Pears (cookers and eaters): leave one fruitlet every 3in (7½cm) of stem. Peaches and nectarines: leave one fruitlet every 7in (18cm) of stem. Apricots: thin to leave one fruitlet every 3in (7½cm) of stem. Plums and gages: thin to leave one fruitlet every 2in (5cm) of stem.…

1 These tender plants enjoy a sunny, warm site. Pick a south- or west-facing border, sheltered from winds so bees visit and pollinate the blooms. 2 Address your squash’s hunger by adding plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure to the soil; this will also improve soil drainage. 3 When planting, sink a drinks bottle with the bottom cut out alongside each plant, marking it with a cane. Water and liquid-feed directly into this.…

GARDEN pinks have a long and interesting history. Although we have our own natives, such as the Cheddar pink, it was following the introduction of a highly fragrant species from southern Europe, Dianthus plumarius, that they first began to gain wide popularity. Brought here more than 900 years ago to be used as flavouring, by the Middle Ages their fragrance had become invaluable in nosegays – small posies of fragrant flowers carried to mask the less appealing odours of a world whose hygiene standards were rather different from today’s. In medieval times, pinks signified betrothal and were often used to flavour food and wine. Shakespeare’s references indicate that different types were already developing, and by the 18th century most of the familiar pinks – along with their floral relatives, including…

IN 1868, a new variety of garden pink was introduced. Its flowers were pure white and the plant had an intoxicating fragrance. Raised by John Sinkins, the Master of the Slough Workhouse (and named for his wife), it was launched by the nursery of Charles Turner, who also introduced the ‘Cox’s Orange Pippin’ apple. The flower was later incorporated into the Borough of Slough’s coat of arms. Although still widely available, ‘Mrs Sinkins’ has a major downside – the flowers tend to split, creating a very ragged look. Grow it for old times’ sake, by all means, but if you’re looking for the best fragrant white-flowered garden pink, opt for ‘Haytor White’ instead.…

EVEN if you stake plants in early spring, some might get a little top heavy as summer progresses, making them vulnerable to wind or rain. These plants will continue to provide interest for much longer if given extra support to prevent them collapsing prematurely. One of the best ways to keep plants upright is to support individual stems with canes. Set the canes behind each stem so they are not clearly visible to passers-by, pushing them into the ground so they support about a third of each stem. This will allow some movement, ensuring the display retains a natural look. The thickness and size of the cane will depend on the height and weight of the stalk you are trying to prop up. For example, a stout 6ft (1.8m)-tall cane…

■ With its sweetly-scented frothy blooms, Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice’ is perfect for a shady container. ■ Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ has scented white flowers on tall stems. ■ Climbing rose ‘Constance Spry’ will cope with some shade, and has masses of strongly scented blooms in a classic rosy pink. ■ For an intense hit of evening fragrance, try the tobacco plant Nicotiana sylvestris; its towering stems of white, tubular flowers smell quite intoxicating.…

Where have all the butterflies gone? Q Can anyone tell me what has happened to our early butterflies? The only ones l have had in my garden so far are speckled wood (Pararge aegeria), holly blue (Celastrina argiolus), small and large white (Pieris rapae and Pieris brassicae) and a very unusual visitor for our area, the scarlet tiger moth (Callimorpha dominula). Normally l would have had comma (Polygonia c-album), small tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and orange-tip (Anthocharis cardamines). Virginia Down, Kidderminster, Worcs A I don’t think there is a simple answer to your question, except that perhaps with the wet winter and prolonged cold spring the conditions have not been ideal either for butterflies that overwinter in the UK or those that migrate here for the summer. I have seen orange-tips…

PATIOS, decking and other hard surfaces around the garden discolour, thanks to the growth of algae, lichen, mould and the odd spilled glass of wine. They can look unsightly and become dangerously slippery when wet, while the lifespan of wooden decks can be seriously shortened if the muck isn’t removed. There are several ways you can tackle mould and algae. A scrubbing brush and soapy water will get some of it off, but it’s not very effective and the problem will quickly return. Be careful with pressure washers At first sight, pressure washers do a very effective job. However, using a pressure washer lance on stone surfaces can blast lines into it, causing serious damage, while wooden decking boards can be splintered by a powerful lance spray. And to cap…

1 On a dry day, clear furniture, pots and other obstacles from the area to be cleaned. Sweep the area thoroughly and pick up debris. 2 Follow the instructions on your chemical cleaning product. Usually you fill a sprayer or watering can with the product and spray/ water the area until wet. 3 If using a pressure washer, use a rotating head attachment to scrub the area. If using a lance, keep the pressure down and hold the lance back from the surface. 4 Ensure that the pressure washer water has somewhere to drain away to. If necessary, sweep it to the nearest drain point.…

IT was on this day that farming changed for ever. This was the day when, in Cincinnati, USA, Julius Hatch first demonstrated his new sowing machine. All farmers knew that sowing grain and seeds by hand was the most laborious of tasks, and needed great skill. This new machine, attached to a cart and pulled by horse, could sow all kinds of grain and seed, or granules of any kind, at any desired rate, from four quarts to four bushels per acre. A man (or ‘smart boy’, as was advertised at the time) could sow 25 acres per day. Besides the saving of time and labour, the resulting crops were increased by the evenness of the sowing. This machine was the forerunner of the seed and fertiliser spreaders that gardeners…

You can generally tell plants of the lavender plant family (Lamiaceae), not because of the flowers but because of the geometrical shape of the stems. Take a close look (and of sage, coleus and nettles) to see that the stems are square, not round, as in most plants. Knot gardens today are edged with dwarf hedges of box (mainly), and this was certainly used in the original knots of Elizabethan England, but a common alternative then was trimmed lavender. Lavender ‘Kew Red’ has one of the longest plant names going. Officially it is Lavandula stoechas subsp. stoechas form rosea ‘Kew Red’ – but it’s worth it!…

Surprise pea pod pickings I WAS very surprised when clearing my manger planter, which hangs on the garage wall, to find a healthy pea sprout growing – complete with half a dozen pods and loads of flowers. We’ll be eating peas before long… so much for the cloches and fleece we carefully put round our peas in the veg patch! Iona Thomas, Denbigh, Wales Reader’s Quick Tip I BUY different-sized wicker baskets from jumble sales, charity shops and garden sales. They make attractive planters for your patio and garden, and are ideal for growing onions, carrots, herbs and salads. Air can also circulate freely around the roots, and any excess moisture just drains away. Mrs Gloria Wilding, Prescot, Merseyside Convolvulus If only you weren’t quite so invasive. How loved and…

WITH the 75th anniversary of D-day on 6 June, reader Iona Chisholm looks at how we might stock our gardens to ensure that the dedication and service of men and women in past conflicts is never forgotten… Sweet pea ‘Patriot’ is a collection of Spencer type frilly blooms in red, white and blue, put together to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War. This fragrant trio will provide an exceptional and reliable performance, as long as you keep picking regularly. Fuchsia ‘Army Nurse’ was introduced in 1947. This hardy shrub is adorned with purple and red flowers that last from June to October. It prefers a moist, fertile soil in a sheltered position. Rosa ‘Remembrance’ (floribunda) produces abundant clusters of lightly scented scarlet double blooms with…

IT’S now safe to plant out tender veg such as courgettes, cucumbers, sweetcorn and pumpkins. Time your planting to avoid windy days, or cover the sail-like leaves of courgettes with fleece to protect them from the weather. I also sow seeds of these veg direct into the soil now, as follow-on crops or as replacements if the pot-grown plants are savaged by slugs, snails, pheasants or rabbits. Even started later, seed-raised plants can outperform those planted from pots; they grow steadily towards harvest without the check of being knocked from a pot.…

1 Sand down and repaint furniture, check screws are tight and make sure wooden seats aren’t going to collapse under the next guest. 2 Wash away algae and mud that has accumulated under patio containers as it looks unsightly and harbours pests and diseases. 3 Keep greenhouse gutters clear of debris and make sure pane clips are secure. 4 Any raw or newly cut ends of wood should be painted with preservative to stop water seeping in and causing rotting.…

1 Dig a hole that will comfortably accommodate all the roots – ideally, this should be somewhere in full sun or very light shade. 2 Add some granular fertiliser to give the roots a quick boost and help the plant get established in the soil. 3 Infill around the stem and roots with a mix of soil and compost, firming it in as you go to keep the plant steady. 4 Water the new plant well and make sure its soil is kept damp, but not waterlogged, while it becomes established.…

1 Personally, I prefer to use wet raffia for tying in trained fruit tree shoots; note the wet, wide pieces can be split down to get more for your money, and are easier to tie when wet. 2 ‘Morello’ cherry is one of the fruits recommended for north walls and fences, along with culinary gooseberries and red, white and pink currants. 3 A backing fence or wall is useful for supporting nets to prevent birds eating fruits. 4 The foundations to walls can absorb a lot of moisture, and trees will need watering in sustained dry weather. Really soak and then mulch to help retain water.…

DO you want better crops with larger, sweeter, more succulent specimens? Would you like less disease damage to them? And do you want less work picking and processing your harvests? If so, then prompt and ruthless thinning is your ticket to success. You see, we often sow and even plant too thickly, just to be safe. If we leave every single plant, vegetable and fruit to go on to maturity, then they will compete with each other for limited resources; you may get a bigger crop by weight, but the quality surely suffers. “Leave only the very best to swell” Take parsnips, for example. Admittedly, these are hard to germinate, so we often sow the whole packet. This could mean 300 seeds, all in a 30ft (9m) row. If only…

BIGGER, healthier, more reliable harvests – that’s what thinning out tree fruitlets offers gardeners if you complete it now. So why do some fruit trees set more fruit than they can carry? Well, essentially, that’s our fault. Gardeners train, prune and feed fruit trees to maximise their cropping potential. This excess of fruit buds and flowers is all well and good, but if we don’t then step in to thin the developing crop, congestion and competition results. Not all orchard trees need thinning; the relatively small fruit size of cherries means that they can jostle for sufficient space on the branch, plus cherries seem very happy to naturally shed excess fruit. But thinning out apples, pears, plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots by hand will certainly boost crop quality. Fruit size…

DO you have a friend who is innately glamorous and smells of the sweetest perfume? Well, for the moth population in your garden, all the females are that friend! For these well turned-out ladies, their perfume is eau de pheromone, and it drives the male moths mad. Each species, whether it’s codling, plum or leek moth, has its own perfume – and you can buy these perfumes now to set the sneakiest of traps! Lure a male moth to its female partner’s pheromone, lay a sticky trap alongside it, and the male will meet his maker. Horticulturally, these pheromone traps offer an organic method of denting pest moth numbers, and the time to set them is now. Every trapped male is one that can’t mate with a female. You can…

1 Fresh peas, straight from the pod, are delicious – and they are ripening now! Be sure to pick over plants every few days for pod perfection. 2 Grapes grown under glass produce too many bunches for the vine to sustain. Be ruthless, and thin out to leave the best one for every 3ft (90cm) of stem. 3 Cabbage white butterflies are on the wing, so protect brassicas. Ensure netting is hole-free and that leaves don’t touch the edge of the net cage 4 . Quick-maturing crops such as baby beets, baby turnips and radishes swell in a flash during June . Regularly pick over your drills before they get too large . 5 Sweet peppers and beefsteak tomatoes will often produce an oversized first fruit that suppresses the formation…

Plant your garden pinks in a sunny, well-drained site where shrubs or taller perennials will not overhang them. Too much moisture, especially during the winter months, will be a fatal. Plant singly in small spaces, or in groups of three or five. Plant in rows for cutting, or individually in 20-30cm pots. When the last flowers on a stem have faded, deadhead by cutting out the stem, low down, amongst the foliage. In poor soils and if growth is slow, feed in spring with a general fertiliser – but do not be tempted to add more than a handful per square metre. Pinks don’t appreciate overfeeding.…

AS a garden writer, I spend a lot of time checking out other people’s gardens in the hope they will be good enough to write about. Over the years, I’ve seen amazing spaces that have subsequently appeared in print. On the other hand, there have been a fair few that I immediately know will not pass muster. One of the yardsticks for me is well planted beds and borders. By that, I don’t mean displays stuffed to the gunwales, but those with a planting theme, a colour scheme and, most importantly, good structure, with tall specimens towards the back, graduating to shorter plants in the foreground. Yet all too often, I come across something that really lacks that all-important X factor. There can be many reasons for this, but a…

Matthiola longipetala subsp. bicornis Night-scented stock is a sprawling hardy annual with grey-green leaves and masses of star-like flowers in white, pale pink and lilac. Opening in the evening, their fragrance is intense. HxS: 20inx1ft (50x30cm). Zaluzianskya ovata Night-scented phlox has deep pink buds that open to reveal white, heart-shaped petals. With short plants and an intense perfume, it’s great for table-top pots. Overwinter somewhere frost-free, or treat as an annual. HxS: 10x8in (25x20cm). Oenothera biennis Held on tall stems, the large yellow trumpet flowers of this biennial evening primrose attract moths with their delicate, citrusy scent. Sow now for flowers next summer; or look out for ready-potted plants. HxS: 39x20in (1mx50cm). Hesperis matronalis Sweet rocket is a short-lived perennial with pink, pale lilac or white…

Plant: Most deciduous grasses need a sunny spot so they can glow in the autumn light. Every grass has different requirements, however – do check the preferred site of your specimens before planting. Cut back: Deciduous grasses should be pruned down to close to the base in February or March. Cut evergreen grasses in late spring or early summer, if necessary. Divide: For new plants with no outlay, the likes of miscanthus can be propagated by division – spring is the best time.…

What do I plant in a dry, shaded area? Q I’m having trouble with a dry, shady bank where a few plants flower in spring but nothing wants to grow in summer. What can I do to rectify this? Graham Cooke, Carlisle, Cumbria A There’s nothing like dry shade to test a gardener, especially where trees or hedge plants are sucking the soil dry. When the bank is moist from winter rain, and before the trees come fully into leaf, take advantage of bulbs and drought-tolerant spring flowers. These will bloom, make foliage and nourish themselves before going dormant or semi-dormant during summer. Daffodils, pulmonarias (lungworts) and Lamium orvala are great at providing pollen and nectar for emerging queen bumblebees. By summer, these spring performers will have died back to…

Do ✓ Read the instructions on chemical cleaning products, and follow them. ✓ Buy a cleaning product suitable for treating the surface you’re tackling, and the type of staining or discolouration. ✓ Use a rotating head if you are cleaning with a pressure washer . Don’t ✗ Use chemical cleaning products or a pressure washer on an area before clearing furniture and pots, and sweeping up thoroughly . ✗ Spray lightly to mak e cleaning products stretch to ✗ Use avoid high buying -pressure more settings . Wet the if surface you’re using thoroughly a pressure . washer lance , and don’t let water puddle on the surface – sweep it to a drain point.…

LAVENDER needs no introduction, as its flower and foliage colour, its fragrance and its mounding habit are known and admired universally. However, there are so many facets to this humble herb. Visitors to lavender farms in Britain or the famed Provence region of southern France, will be familiar with the rich sight of lavender rows in full bloom. Some lavenders are now beginning to show colour, so it is a good time to look at them in more detail. The most widely cultivated species is the so-called English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). It is generally accepted that the shade of purple-blue referred to as ‘lavender’ is named after the shade of the flowers of this species. The right conditions LAVENDERS are sometimes killed off before their time, and this is usually…

WE may call it ‘lavender’, but have you ever wondered where the name comes from? Some thought that it was because the plant smelled of lavatories, but that’s not (quite) true! The plant was introduced to Britain by the Romans, who used it to perfume their bath water. The name is derived from the Latin word lavo, meaning ‘I wash’. Incidentally, the Romans were very familiar with French and fringed lavender (which we know today as L. stoechas and L. dentata, pictured), but 2000 years ago these plants weren’t even lavenders. They were known respectively as the stalked stoechas and the fringed stoechas. It was not until 1753, when Carl Linnaeus classified plants, that they were combined with other plants in the lavandula genus.…

NOBODY comes afresh to gardening without experiencing a feeling of bewilderment when first confronted with the botanical names of plants. It is no surprise that the wish is often expressed that only English names were used for plants, but such a proposition is impracticable and an attempt to abandon the botanical names and substitute what we describe as common names would lead to confusion throughout the horticultural world. Scientific names are essential because they enable plants to be known by the same names all over the world. The first fact a novice wants to realise is that names are given to plants in accordance with rules that have a scientific system as their base. Names have meanings and reasons for their application to certain plants. The greatest help in the…

WOBURN Abbey Show celebrates its tenth anniversary later this month with a two-day gardening extravaganza celebrating the all-round benefits of plants. Well-known garden experts Pippa Greenwood and Adam Frost will be back at the show to talk about getting the best from your garden and the private gardens of the Duke and Duchess of Bedford, which are usually closed off, will be open to the public. There will also be gardeners’ Q&A sessions, beekeeping demonstrations, tips on becoming a successful allotmenteer, plant stalls, food outlets and a show kitchen. Gardeners’ World and Gardeners’ Question Time regular Pippa Greenwood said: “The Woburn Abbey Garden Show is quite simply two days of horticultural bliss.” A show for garden lovers “It is no surprise that my favourite garden show, set within the gorgeous…

Plant Names Simplified: Their Pronunciation, Derivation and Meaning By AT Johnson, HA Smith and AP Stockdale 5m Publishing (£12.95) WHY is love-in-a-mist called nigella, and what is the correct pronunciation of clematis? This book, which was first published in 1931 has the answers: nigella – from the Latin ‘nigellus’, the diminutive of ‘niger’, meaning ‘black’, referring to the seed, and KLEM-a-tis, from Greek ‘klema’, a vine branch). This pocket-sized reference book gives the name, pronunciation and classification of more than 1,000 common plants and the meaning behind the origins of the name. Some names, such as montana (of the mountains) or orientalis (Eastern Asia) can be guessed, but others, like pulchella (pretty) and glabrum (smooth/hairless) aren’t quite so easy. This is an invaluable resource for gardeners of all levels. As…

Taking soft perennial cuttings is an easy way of generating more plants for free. Use this year’s fresh, healthy growth that doesn’t have flower buds. Cut a 4in (10cm) piece and remove the lower leaves and large top foliage. Dip the cut end in hormone-rooting compound, then insert into pots of dampened cuttings compost mixed with perlite or vermiculite. Place somewhere light and warm, keep moist, and the cuttings should root and start to grow in four weeks.…

MOST deciduous trees and shrubs are pruned during their winter dormancy when the sap has retreated down to the core of their trunk, reducing the risk of ‘bleeding’ and infection. A small minority, however, should be cut back in summer to keep them productive and healthy because pruning them when dormant risks silver leaf disease, caused by the fungus Chondrostereum purpureum. Its spores are active between September and May, so if susceptible trees are pruned during these months the wounds are an open invitation to the problem, which causes silvering of leaves and branch dieback. Vulnerable varieties include plums, gages, cherries, apricots, laburnum and rhododendrons. When pruning, remember to ‘look twice and cut once,’ so you don’t ruin the overall shape of the tree. Use the right tool for the…

1 Do you desire prize melons? Top off a compost heap with a layer of soil and cover with a cloche in which to grow the best fruits. 2 Pondweeds multiply rapidly in summer – start removing them now for compost. Remember to leave by the edge of the pond for a day to let the bugs return. 3 If you want to protect your raspberries, be sure to keep your birdbaths freshly cleaned and refilled daily – if there’s no water, they’ll eat more of your fruits! 4 Thin apricots and peaches ruthlessly – those that are left will get much bigger. Never leave two near enough to touch when they have swollen.…

Try a one-colour theme, playing with the many lighter and darker shades (see above) and veering towards colours next door to each other on the colour wheel. Too much colour in one block can overwhelm, so use neutral white or green to separate and show off other colours. White will also show up well during the evening. When planting, set plants out first and arrange them in blocks, intermingled or a sea of one type, with a few taller ‘dot’ plants here and there, to be sure of the effect. Give plants enough space, so they don’t compete for water and nutrients. Spacings will vary according to size, but 9-12in (23-30cm) apart is usual.…

1 First, you need to identify that your fruitlets are ready for thinning. Any inferior fruits will have shrivelled and fallen as part of the June drop process. Those remaining should be the size of a 20p coin. 2 Decide which fruitlets are going to be sacrificed – don’t rush this, as you can’t stick them back on! Any with scars, malformations or holes should be removed to leave only top-quality fruitlets. 3 Carefully break off the sacrificial fruitlets – this can be done with your hands or, if you’re all fingers and thumbs, you can use a sharp pair of scissors; slender hairdressing scissors are ideal.…

WE all know coriander leaves make an excellent addition to curries, soups, salsas and marinades, but did you know the whole plant, including the roots, is edible? Now is an ideal time to sow coriander, so why not experiment with the ways in which you can use it? Sprouted seeds and the tiny seedlings pack a flavoursome coriander punch, making an excellent garnish for Asian-style fish or chicken salads, whereas the seeds (roasted and ground) exude a warm, spicy tone which, as well as flavouring carrot soup, make a digestion-boosting drink. The fresh roots (ideally of young plants, which is why growing your own is ideal) are commonly ground with pepper, garlic and other seasonings to make a Thai paste. And finally, let’s not forget about the flowers. These starry…

NO, I’m not kidding – you really can grow a type of spinach that will produce fruits that look like strawberries! Officially known as Chenopodium capitatum, this quick-growing tender plant can be sown directly into warm, sunny soil now. A close relative of the much-maligned fat hen, this plant is far more welcome, producing tasty green rosettes of leaves that cook down in butter just like spinach. As summer progresses, your plants will then begin to flower. As the subsequent seed clusters develop, it will become obvious why this plant is so-called. Bright-red, knobbly fruits appear in leaf axils along the lengths of the stems. Left to mature fully, they have a juicy texture. Some say they taste like strawberries, too, but I’ll let you be the judge of that!…

I REALLY don’t think there’s much point in growing pinks that haven’t got a strong scent, and with so many highly fragrant options available, we can easily set aside those that are not. The fragrance comes in two options: some have a spicy, often clove-like scent; others are noticeably sweeter. AGM winners amongst the clove-scented types include the cyclamen purple ‘Devon Wizard’, pale salmon ‘Letitia Wyatt’, Lily the Pink (‘Wp05 Idare’), which is lavender pink, and the rosy pink Slap ’n’ Tickle (‘Wp 05 Pp 22’). Those with a strong but sweeter scent include crimson-eyed white Coconut Sundae (‘Wp 05 Yves’), two-tone carmine salmon Romance (‘Wp09 Wen04’), Supernova (‘Wp11 Tyr04’), a dark-eyed pink, and ‘Valda Wyatt’ (lavender pink).…

Crambe cordifolia A mound of deeply cut leaves and 8ft (2½m)-tall branched sprays of dainty white flowers are produced in summer, followed by bead-like, green seed pods. Inula magnifica ‘Sonnenstrahl’ This plant has 8ft (2.4m)-tall stems with leaves up to 3ft (90cm) in length, plus flowers 6in (15cm) across. Its narrow, spidery petals encircle an orange disc. Macleaya microcarpa ‘Kelway’s Coral Plume’ This plant has 7ft (2.2m)-tall stems clothed with large, scalloped, glaucous leaves terminating in a haze of tiny pink flowers from June until the end of summer. Verbena bonariensis This elegant, airy plant produces a mass of branched, 6½ft (2m)-tall stems, which are topped with tufts of pink flowers that are a magnet for butterflies. Rudbeckia laciniata ‘Herbstsonne’ In the middle of…

Nemesia ‘Wisley Vanilla’ One of the best bedding plants for perfume and flower production. Short stems are topped with clusters of yellow-throated pale pink and white flowers – they’ll fill the garden with the summery scent of vanilla. H&S: 8in (20cm). Petunia Tumbelina Priscilla This trailing petunia has beautifully fragrant, frilly, mauve flowers with attractive veining. Perfect for hanging baskets and containers, it will not sprawl as much as the larger surfinias. Trails: 1ft (30cm); S: 6in (15cm). Lilac ‘Palibin’ AGM Most lilacs grow into substantial plants, but this compact slow-grower is a good option if space is tight. It has lovely dark green foliage and panicles of small lavender-pink flowers that give off a classic lilac scent. H&S: 5ft (1½m). Heliotropium ‘Midnight Sky’ A half-hardy…

Thymus ‘Bressingham’ Ideal for planting in the cracks between pavers, this compact thyme has small pink flowers (Jun-Jul) and aromatic, grey-green hairy leaves that will release their scent when trodden on. Likes full sun and well-drained soil. HxS: 8x14in (20x35cm). Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ AGM A highly floriferous lavender with short spikes of intensely purple-blue, fragrant flowers that are a magnet for bees. The grey-green foliage not only smells lovely but looks good all year round. Needs well-drained soil, so dig in plenty of grit. HxS: 2ftx20in (60x50cm).…

Calamagrostis x acutiflora ‘Karl Foerster’ The flower panicles of this deciduous grass fade from bronze to fawn and hold their columnar upright shape through autumn and winter. Grow in well-drained soil, in sun. H: 5ft (1½m). Miscanthus sinensis ‘Morning Light’ AGM A graceful deciduous grass that forms a mass of narrow, arching green leaves that are rimmed with white. The fox pink flower panicles will endure through the cold months. Plant in sun. H: 5ft (1½m). Stipa gigantea AGM The golden oat is a gorgeous evergreen, topped with airy, oat-like flowers on slender stems – they ripen to gold and catch the autumn light beautifully. Grow in well-drained soil, in sun. H: 6½ft (2m). Pennisetum ‘Fairy Tails’ A…

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Flamingo’ with Monarda ‘Cherokee’ and deep yellow rudbeckias (R. fulgida var. sullivantii ‘Goldsturm’). Festuca glauca ‘Elijah Blue’ with Erica carnea ‘Myretoun Ruby’ and Bergenia ‘Overture’. Anemanthele lessoniana with Hylotelephium ‘Matrona’ and Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii. Deschampsia cespitosa ‘Goldtau’ with Perovskia ‘Blue Spire’ and Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’. Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ with Helleborus niger and Cornus sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’.…

1 Use a knife to cut through the rhizomatous roots of a Geranium nodosum, simultaneously loosening roots from the shape of the pot. If you are not dividing the plant, just tease them out. 2 Having dug a hole, water it thoroughly (twice if necessary) to moisten the surrounding soil. 3 Make sure the plant is at the same level as it was in the pot and then firm it in well. 4 Water in thoroughly and carefully, before adding a mulch of moist, well-rotted garden compost or other soil conditioner around the plant.…

Lichen: Tiny, slow-growing plants that grow into the surface of stone, concrete and brick. Includes black-spot and white-spot lichens. Algae: Plant organisms that live in moist conditions and grow on hard surfaces. Around the garden they are usually tiny, but very prolific in suitable areas. Natural stone: Paving made from quarried sandstone, limestone or natural rock. Artificial stone: Paving made from concrete in shapes and colours to look like natural stone. Decking: Pressure-treated timber used to make raised seating areas. Pressure washer: A high-pressure water pump that releases a powerful water jet through a lance, or downward-facing rotating head attachment.…

ORCHIDS are a great way to add spring colours to any living space. To ensure your orchids flourish, Miracle-Gro is giving AG readers the chance to win an indoor gardening bundle comprising Miracle-Gro Orchid Mist, Miracle-Gro Orchid Concentrate and Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food Concentrate. Miracle-Gro Orchid Mist encourages strong growth and heavy flowering by creating a hydration layer around the plant. Combined with Miracle-Gro Orchid Concentrate’s mix of nine nutrients, your flowers will blossom beautifully. For your other plants, Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food concentrate guarantees beautiful, healthy and strong plants with greener leaves. We have three bundles to give away, each worth £12.99. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Miracle-Gro Indoor Gardening Bundle Draw (8 June), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst…

ONE of just two surviving members of the original cast of the sitcom Dad’s Army is connected to the subject of this week’s Miscellany. The part of Private Pike was played by actor Ian Lavender (pictured). The only other surviving cast member is actor Frank Williams, who played the vicar. Incidentally, Ian Lavender’s first-ever TV role was in the play Flowers At My Feet (Rediffusion, 1968). In a one-off Dad’s Army sketch, entitled ‘Broadcast to the Empire’, the character of Sergeant Wilson (John Le Mesurier) says a few lines of the nursery rhyme Lavender Blue, Dilly Dilly as a microphone test for a BBC radio Christmas broadcast.…

THE number 1 summer planting rule is to wait until after the ‘last frost’ before putting begonias, petunias and colourful coleus out in the garden. Now, the date when this final frost occurs changes every year, but it’s safe to say (well, make that safe-ish) that even gardens that cling to crags in the moors and highlands have now seen the back of Jack Frost until autumn. The date of the last cold snap depends largely on where you live. Roads and concrete trap heat, making towns and cities warmer than the open countryside. And because spring arrives on the warm currents of the gulf stream, which starts in Mexico, the south and west of Britain warm up first. “Wind can be just as damaging” Idioms can also offer a…