Innholdsfortegnelse for 27-Jul-2019 i Amateur Gardening

“I am fascinated by the names we give to flowers in addition to their official botanical monikers, which you rarely hear spoken. Many of these ‘local’ names are charmingly rustic or fun, and some are simply strange. My mother grew swathes of antirrhinums, and as a child I loved squeezing their sides to make their ‘mouths’ open. However, I didn’t know them as ‘snapdragons’ but as ‘bunny rabbits’. I’ve no idea where that name came from! Does anyone else know of obscure names for popular flowers? I’d love to hear them.”…

1 Give annual pots a fortnightly dose of potassium-rich tomato feed. Container trees such as lemons may need a more constant fertiliser, such as slow-release granules or a dripper feed. 2 Deadhead container roses after flowering and feed with a granular fertiliser such as Toprose. Keeping them healthy helps them to ward off problems such as black spot. 3 Stand plants in water before planting. I add liquid feed if they look a bit peaky. Water-retaining grains reduce the amount of watering needed in pots of standard compost. 4 Good hygiene is essential. Wash pots before re-using them, to remove contaminants. Standing pots on feet lets excess moisture escape and reduces the risk of waterlogging.…

MANY of the seeds we sow are for seasonal fruit and veg or annual/ biennial plants for the border. It is a satisfying way of gardening without massive financial outlay. But what about perennials? Usually, they are sourced from garden centres, nurseries or online for varying prices and at different stages of maturity. Smaller types can be bought for a couple of pounds and may take a year or so before they start to flower. Larger plants are more expensive – sometimes eye-wateringly so – but are more likely to settle in fast and perform during their first year. Up until now, I have bought perennials, usually for pennies from a local nursery that has a stand at our local weekly market. But this year, I decided to grow a…

1 Powdery mildew: Affects many plants and the symptoms include a powdery white covering on the surface of leaves, flowers and fruits. ■ Plants can be stunted and distorted. It can be treated with fungicide suitable for edibles or ornamentals and resistant varieties of plants are sometimes available. ■ Prompt removal and destruction of affected plant material can help contain the problem; mulching and watering reduces plant stress and makes plants less prone to infection. 2 Downy mildew: Affects several plants, affecting the appearance of ornamentals and the yield and quality of edible crops. ■ It presents as green, yellow or brown blotches on leaves, with mould-like growth underneath. Badly affected plants shrivel and die. ■ There are no chemical controls but you can lessen its effects by removing and…

THE weeks between late summer and early winter make up the peak time at the compost heap. Between now and late November, you will be piling yours high with clippings, cuttings, prunings and even bits of shredded cardboard. Get a good mix of these, and you will be rewarded with bags of gorgeous rich, dark, crumbly goodness that you can use as a soil enhancer, mulch or potting agent. There is more to making excellent compost than simply throwing on your peelings and letting them rot down. If too much of one ingredient goes on at the same time, the mix will be uneven and decomposition may even grind to a halt. Too many grass cuttings, for example, will dissolve into a slippery, smelly mess – which is definitely not…

YOU might find it helpful to set up some watering aids right about now. Plants are getting bigger, crops are swelling and bedding is in full bloom, so their water needs are much higher. Without regular heavy rain, soil moisture becomes depleted, increasing the plants’ thirst. Watering by hand will be taking longer and needs reducing. Of course, keeping the soil or compost moist is vital, and automatic watering systems are available, but these cost rather a lot and usually still have to be set up plant by plant. “Funnels can be used next to almost any plant” One simpler way is not to sprinkle or pour water onto the plant, soil or compost – which is wasteful, as much evaporates away – but to tip it more quickly into…

1 Echinacea seeds are fairly large, which makes them easy to sow. Scatter thinly onto seed compost dampened with fresh tap water. 2 Cover the seeds with a fine layer of compost, vermiculite (which helps air and water get to the seeds) or a mixture of the two. 3 Label the seeds, add a lid and place somewhere light and warm, though out of direct sun. Remove the lid after germination. 4 Alternatively, sow seeds direct into sunny, free-draining soil that has been raked and weeded. Thin seedlings if crowded.…

IF you’re lucky enough to own one, chances are your greenhouse is packed to the rafters with all manner of edible goodies now. However, heatwaves and thundery deluges, along with pest and disease attacks, can all make life tricky, so let me help you keep things in order under glass. Overheating can pose a real threat to crops. Most plants stop growing when the temperature reaches 32ºC (90ºF), and that can easily happen under glass on sunny days, when the temperature outside is in the mid-twenties. Fruit set and formation can also be hindered, leading to malformed or absent fruits on crops such as tomatoes, melons and cucumbers. Thwart overheating by addressing basic issues; install sufficient roof vents (20% of the floor surface area is ideal), leave doors open during…

1 Thoroughly pick over your climbing French and runner beans daily – don’t miss any old pods. Y ou’ll be amazed at the yield of these rampant plants! 2 School holidays are starting, and often a vacation is on the cards. Standing potted crops in a tray of water and gravel will k eep them moist for a week . 3 Climbing glasshouse melons will now be gaining the pounds. Hang them in net bags tied to support bars to ensure they don ’t crash to the floor . 4 Cordon (single-stemmed) tomatoes will grow up and up if you let them. Pinch out growing points above the sixth truss (in a glasshouse) or fifth truss (if outdoors). 5 Celery will often blanch itself , but you can help ensure…

Plant hardy geraniums from pots at any time the soil is not parched or waterlogged. If planting in summer, be sure that planting sites are kept moist. Varieties vary in how much they spread, so check before deciding on your planting distances. Sometimes mail-order plants arrive as plugs; pot these up and grow them on, planting out only when the roots start to fill their pots. Taller varieties may need discreet support; get supports in place before the plants fall over. Deadhead as the flowers fade and you will prevent self-seeding. After the main flush of flowering, many varieties can be cut back hard to spur fresh foliage growth. Never allow the plants to dry out at this stage. Mulch in the autumn with some weed-free organic matter, and feed…

AS we garden in ever-smaller spaces, the contribution that individual plants make to our displays becomes increasingly important. Consequently, anything that flowers for three months is far more valuable than an alternative that flowers for just three weeks. Certain hardy geraniums will be in bloom for ages – from early summer to well into autumn, in some cases. Along with Blue Sunrise and Rozanne (both of which feature in my top six overleaf), long-flowering AGM varieties to look out for include ‘Brookside’ (blue), the pale purple ‘Dilys’, white-eyed lavender blue ‘Nimbus’, ‘Russell Prichard’, which is magenta, and ‘Wageningen’, a pretty shade of salmon pink.…

BUTTERFLIES will feed on the flowers of a wide range of plants, but they are bit more fussy about where they lay their eggs. Individual species actually seek out specific plants, because their larvae are particular about the leaves they eat. Some butterflies will deposit their eggs on more than one type of host plant, while others have just one primary food plant. The majority of host plants are UK natives, although both the large and small cabbage white butterfly will lay eggs on nasturtiums, which come from South America. In order to encourage butterflies to breed in your garden, show mercy to the weeds that they favour. Alternatively, hive off a small corner and plant it with wildflowers, grasses and other plants that are known to support their larvae.…

Growing: Salvias need a sunny spot in well-drained soil –avoid planting in clay. Deadhead after the first flowers have gone, and you’ll encourage another flush of blooms. Propagating: Take cuttings in August or September. Cut stems (shoot tips) from non-flowering shoots in the morning. Trim just below a leaf, so it’s around 3in/8cm long. Cut any leaves off the bottom half and push into a pot of cuttings compost – you can put around six in each pot. Cover with a plastic bag Cutting back: Perennial salvias can be cut back in either spring or autumn. Any that aren’t hardy should be pruned in spring. Winter protection: Take tender salvias in pots under cover for the winter to avoid plants getting cold and wet.…

WHAT a difference a bit of light makes to a garden at night! A few sparkling fairy lights around the patio and a softly glowing lamp on the table will draw you out like a moth to soak up the atmosphere on warm evenings. You don’t need masses of multi-coloured bulbs dangling from every branch, and definitely not halogen security lamps that make your garden look like a prisoner-of-war camp. The aim is to create a softly lit focal point, where you’re sitting or eating, and then a few highlights on shrubs and trees, stake lights placed through a border, or fairy lights dressing up a shrub or fence. Candle light Candles make an excellent focal point. Three to five grouped together on the table will throw a seductive glow…

Do ✓ Protect the flame from draughts and people from burns by setting candles in a jar or lantern. ✓ Buy electric lighting that is suitable for use outdoors. It should say so on the box. ✓ Fit a circuit break er between sock et and plug when using mains electric-powered outdoor lights. ✓ Create a focal point with your lighting, and work out from that area. Don’t ✗ Use burning candles randomly around the garden. You need to be able to monitor them for safety ✗ Use an adaptor to run lots of mains electric lights . from one sock et without checking the load. ✗ Overdo the lighting by using too many lights, or lights that are very bright – it should look pretty and atmospheric. ✗ Leave…

ERICACEOUS plants add beautiful, vibrant colour to any outdoor space but need special conditions to thrive. To ensure that your flowers flourish, Miracle-Gro is giving AG readers the chance to win a bundle of products perfect for acid-loving plants, which includes Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Continuous Release Plant Food and Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Soluble Plant Food. Miracle-Gro Azalea, Camellia & Rhododendron Continuous Release and Soluble Plant Foods are ideal for ericaceous plants, including heathers, hydrangeas and magnolias, whether in pots and containers, hanging baskets, beds or borders. We have three bundles to give away, each worth £12. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a postcard to Miracle-Gro Ericaceous Draw (27 July 2019), Amateur Gardening, Pinehurst 2, Pinehurst Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14…

Evergreens for the flowers I AGREE with Chris Rotheray in his letter (AG, 29 June) about having flowers for the bees and Chelsea gardens being ‘shades of green’ this year. However, I don’t agree with his objection to evergreen plants, when this means I have flowers all year to help not just the bees but also other insects. One in particular – which I recently finished deadheading ready for another flush later in the year – is the choisya. It was lovely watching the first bees flying around it, and I’m looking forward to the second flush of flowers when the bees are getting ready to hibernate. Also, what about the strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), another evergreen we have with late flowers? Yes, they may not be flowering all summer…

CONTAINER growing is at its peak now, and whether you are cultivating colourful patio pots, single shrubs, fruit or veg, there will be a lot to keep up with. Containers are a brilliant and convenient way of growing things, but they do need extra love and attention as they carry limited supplies of food and water, and the plants can become sitting ducks for pests and disease. Feeding, watering, evening pest patrols and regular cutting back and deadheading are all part of the summertime pot routine, and although we are well into summer now it isn’t too late to create a basket or pot for late summer/early autumn colour. The basket I chose to plant up is faux-rattan, and apparently extremely weatherproof and durable. It came lined with plastic and…

Containers can be a magnet for pests and disease. Most prevalent of these is vine weevils. Adults eat the leaves while their creamy grubs gnaw the roots. First sign of a problem can be the rapid wilting of plants, which will recover if the problem is treated at once with a chemical or nematode. Slugs and snails also home in on pots and hide under leaves and around the rim. Overcrowded plants and poor airflow can lead to fungal problems such as Impatiens downy mildew. Plant thinly – plants soon grow to fill any gaps – and keep plants well watered and fed. Deadhead promptly and remove dead or damaged foliage before it attracts disease.…

Many annuals and biennials grown from seed this year should be mature enough to plant out now. With any luck, they will bring late-summer and early autumn colour and shape to your borders and pots. Before planting, I like to fork in some chicken manure pellets to give the soil a boost, and water the ground if very dry. Gently ease the plants out of their pots and plant at the same depth as their rootballs. Firm in, water, and protect from slugs and weeds. Simple!…

Lavender is thought to originate from the Med, Middle East and India, and has long been used as a practical and medicinal plant. Its name comes from the Latin verb ‘Lavare’ (‘to wash’), as Romans used it to wash and scent their clothes, bedding and hair. Sachets of dried lavender flowerheads are still used today to scent drawers and wardrobes. References to the plant can also be found in the Bible, where it is called ‘Spikenard’ – it is the herb used by Mary Magdalen to anoint the feet of Jesus. It is also used as an antiseptic, to relieve headaches and insect bites and, of course, to aid sleep. Lavender is also widely used in the kitchen. Lavender plants are widely available, and you can buy more specialist varieties…

SEVERAL weeks fully occupied at flower shows took its toll on my garden, and anyone who has been away on holiday may also find some plants and areas in distress on their return. Where plants are wilting and lawns left uncut for two weeks, the first priority is to water round and then cut the grass with mower blades set a little higher. It is unwise to shear the grass hard back in the heat of summer – it is much better to mow leaving a little greener leaf for the turf to recover, and slowly reduce the height of cut back to normal. When it comes to watering, make a light watering first and then, when this has soaked in, go back and water again so moisture sinks right…

1 Keeping in the heat will help to speed up the composting process. If you have an open compost heap, cover it with a tarpaulin or an old bit of carpet. Remove it in dry spells to add water, or when it rains so some moisture can get in. 2 After four-five months, you should be left with a pile of rich, crumbly, earthy-smelling goodness. Either bag it up and store it, or dig it in to the borders. Any remaining woody bits can be added to the next batch to rot down completely.…

1 If runner beans are not setting, first water heavily and then, when it is cool, sprinkle flowers with sweetened water to attract more pollinators. 2 Once the tops of early sorts of potatoes have withered, dig the crop, and save your own seed/sets from the best plants. 3 As you empty your potato, garlic and onion beds, re-fill by planting out overwintering brassicas or by sowing fast salads and green manures. 4 Whenever you pull carrots, remove their foliage, bruise it and place it on the compost heap, which will attract patrolling root flies there.…

24: Ball Colegrave Open Evening, Milton Rd, Adderbury, Banbury, OX17 3EY. 4-8pm, £4 children free. In aid of The Katharine House Hospice and the David Colegrave Foundation offering scholarships to horticultural students. 01295 810632, ballcolegrave.co.uk 26-28: The Game Fair: Hatfield House, 1 Forum Place, Hatfield, Herts AL10 0RN. 01707 252707, thegamefair.org 27: Plant Hunters’ Fair: National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffs DE13 7AR 27-28: Carshalton Lavender Pick Your Own and Harvest Fair: Stanley Road Allotments, Oaks Way, Carshalton Beeches, Surrey SM5 4NQ. 07948 174907, carshaltonlavender.org 28: Plant Hunters’ Fair: British Ironwork Centre, Oswestry, Shropshire SY11 4JH 29: Free Gardening Advice for RHS members: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 020 3176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr August  1-4: RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show: RHS Hyde Hall, Creephedge Lane, Rettendon,…

During summer, place Crossandra and its relatives in medium light, shielded from harsh sunlight. During winter, when light levels are low, move plants closer to windows indoors, but not where temperatures dip and draughts will be felt. In warm rooms, group with other plants or stand on a tray of pebbles for raised humidity. Water when the compost surface begins to dry out. Do not over water when growth has slowed during winter. These quick-growing plants will benefit from fortnightly liquid feeds while in growth. Move young plants on to larger pots in spring or summer when in active growth. Most will not need a pot size above 6in (15cm) wide. Take 3in (8cm)-long shoot tip cuttings during spring or summer. Remove bottom leaves, and should the top ones be…

Automatic roof vents: These are powered by a wax-filled cylinder to open on hot days and automatically shut as temperatures drop. Louvre vents: Fixed to the lower sides, these slatted vents will help suck cool air in, forcing hot air out via the roof vents. Self-watering systems: These pots and trays are designed with a water reservoir so the crops never dry out. Automatic irrigation kit: Fix onto spaghetti tubes feeding into individual pots, with adjustable nozzle flow rates. External roller blinds: By stopping sunlight hitting the glass, temperatures under cover aren’t excessively elevated. Roof fan: Some glasshouse heaters have a no-heat setting, allowing the fan to run independently, eliminating hot spots.…

WORMERIES are a great way to utilise small amounts of garden waste, so if you have a tiny plot, you may have latched on to this excellent method of recycling. Colonised by compost-dwelling tiger worms (rather than our more familiar earthworms), these small systems take up limited space, yet generate valuable nutrient-rich compost and liquid fertiliser. Come high summer, yours may be filling up. Check the base sump for liquid, tapping this off to deter waterlogging; the worms dislike excess wet. Dilute 10 parts water to one liquid to make a high-nitrogen feed for leafy crops like spinach and salad leaves. Check where the worms are living; they prefer the layer just beneath the freshly added material, but above the fully processed worm compost. Finished compost can be added to…

IF you fancy growing a small, semi-evergreen tree in a pot on a sunny patio, the Punica granatum, better known as the pomegranate, is for you. Winter hardiness can vary, so be sure to buy a reliably robust variety such as ‘Provence’. While the tree will grow well at the base of a sunny wall, cultivating it in a pot so you can extend the growing season by moving it under cover from autumn until spring will give its fruits the best chance of ripening fully in our temperate summers. Being self-fertile, only one tree is needed. The small, arrow-shaped leaves are followed by star-like scarlet flowers in early summer. As the fruits develop, you’ll initially see the flowers swelling. Regular watering and feeding with a high-potash liquid fertiliser will…

MOST hardy geraniums are fairly tolerant when it comes to sun and shade; however, there are some that are more particular. Varieties of Geranium cinereum, G. maderense, G. pratense, G. renardii and G. sanguineum thrive best in sun, while those of G. maculatum G. macrorrhizum, G. sylvaticum and G. phaeum are best in shade. Bear in mind, too, that plants growing in extremes of sun or shade will perform better if you don’t let the soil get parched.…

Rosa ‘Climbing Lady Hillingdon’ AGM A floriferous climbing tea rose that produces strongly scented apricot-yellow blooms in summer and autumn. The glossy foliage emerges copper before maturing to dark green. HxS: 16x61/2ft (5x2m). Rosa ‘Wollerton Old Hall’ Bred by David Austin and ideal if you want a scented, repeat-flowering English climbing rose. The voluptuous peach-cream flowers exude a strong fragrance of citrus and myrrh. Happy grown against a wall in partial shade. HxS: 13x10ft (4x3m). Trachelospermum jasminoides AGM Star jasmine has glossy evergreen leaves that redden in winter, and starry white summer flowers that release their strong tea scent onto the air. Best grown in a sheltered spot in full sun. H: 23x13ft (7x4m). Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris…

Salvia nemorosa ‘Caradonna’ AGM A favourite for herbaceous borders – and it’s easy to see why. This hardy perennial salvia is long-flowering, and features spikes of purple-blue flowers on black stems. Flowers: Jun-Oct. HxS: 20inx1ft (50x30cm). ‘Dyson’s Joy’ AGM Shrubby compact perennial; hardy in most areas in full sun with good drainage. Look after it well, and you’ll be rewarded with months of bi-coloured blooms in light and dark pink. Flowers: May-Nov. HxS: 2x1ft (60x30cm). ‘Neon’ No prizes for guessing how this vibrant pink salvia got its name. It’s reliably hardy, with scented foliage and large, vivid flowers that add great value to pots and borders. Flowers: Jul-Oct. HxS: 3x2ft (90x60cm). S . x sylvestris ‘Mainacht’ AGM For a trouble-free choice, try reliable…

Propagate lupins with springtime cuttings Q I have a large established lupin, which is in the wrong place. I would like to lift and divide it. Every spring, it gets forgotten until it flowers – would it be certain death to move it now? Kay Allsop, via email A If your pink-flowered lupin has multiple crowns and you are able to split them into well-rooted portions, do it in early spring when the soil is warming. Lift the plant with as much soil as possible and replant divisions in generous holes enriched with well-rotted organic matter. If, however, there is only one stem and all shoots are springing from it, it would be better to take solid-stemmed basal cuttings, also in spring. They should be about 3in/7½cm long. Insert them…

Candle: Put in a lantern or glass, the flame is protected from draughts, and you are safe from the flame. Creates a vintage feel in the garden. Fairy lights: Can be mains electric, solar or battery powered, but must be suitable for outdoors. Solar and batteries need charging/changing periodically. Uplighters and festoons: Designed for use outdoors. Mains electric powered, they give strong and reliable illumination and add a party feel. Stake lights: These can be individually solar powered, so there’s no cable to worry about, or connected by a cable to a separate solar panel.…

1 Choose your lighting – candles for the table, fairly lights and festoons for pergolas, screens and shrubs, spotlights and stake lights for plants in borders. 2 Real candles burn more reliably and are safer when given some protection, from tea lights in a jam jar to large candles in a lantern. 3 Plan the cable run of lights carefully to avoid trip hazards. Lift cables out of wet areas and use a circuit breaker with mains electric lights. 4 Set up the charging panel of solar-powered lights to get maximum sunlight the morning before it’s needed. Many must be switched ‘on’ to charge.…

IT was on this day that the potato first arrived in England, when Sir Thomas Harriot stepped off a boat in Plymouth, Devon. He had returned from Sir Walter Raleigh’s English colony on Roanoke Island in modern-day North Carolina, USA. While there, he had made detailed studies of the wildlife – and of potatoes! He wrote: “Openavk [the local name] are kind of roots of round forme, some of the bignes of walnuts, some far greater, which are found in moist & marish grounds growing many together one by another in ropes, or as thogh they were a string. Being boiled or sodden they are very good meate.” The spud has since become essential to our national cuisine.…

1 Stand the pot on feet, add a layer of crocks and fill with compost. I mixed John Innes No2 with proprietary tree and shrub compost. 2 Add compost until it reaches the depth of the clematis’ rootball, remembering they like their roots kept deep and cool. 3 Add a support and fill the pot with compost to within 1in (2½cm) of the container rim, firming it down as you go. 4 Finally, water well and keep the compost damp but not sodden. A layer of gravel can also help to keep the roots cool.…

1 For ease of planting, stand your basket on a stable pot or bucket. Use fortified container compost for the best results. 2 Make holes in the side to accommodate trailing plants. The basket I used had ready-made holes and easy-to-cut plastic lining. 3 Add some compost, then place trailing plants first, wrapping their rootballs in clingfilm and feeding them through the side holes. 4 Once side plants are in, scatter a little more compost and carefully add the top plants without damaging any of the rootballs. 5 Infill between plants with more compost, firming it down as you go to give support to the plants and knock out air pockets. 6 Wet compost is heavy, so wait until you have hung your basket before watering well. Keep compost damp…

1 Fill a new or clean tray with fresh seed compost, either sieving it or crumbling larger lumps between your fingers. 2 Tamp the compost to create an even, smooth surface so seeds don’t get lost, and dampen with fresh tap water. 3 Sow seeds. Tiny seeds can be placed from the end of a dampened finger or matchstick, or mixed with sand for even sowing. 4 Cover with a thin layer of compost or vermiculite, label and add a lid. Place somewhere light and warm.…

1 Rust disease: This is a common plant problem. It can be checked by good ventilation, strong growth (too much nitrogen in soil causes susceptible lush growth) and destruction of affected plant material. Treat ornamentals with fungicides. 2 Box blight: Increasingly problematic, this fungal disease causes leaves to brown and fall, with blackened dieback on young stems. Dig up and destroy affected plants and quarantine new box for three weeks before planting to ensure it’s blight-free. 3 Rose black spot: This is a common problem that causes leaves to blacken, turn yellow and sometimes fall. In severe cases, this fungal disease will reduce a plant’s vigour. Dispose of all affected material, including fallen leaves, and treat with a fungicide. 4 Cucumber mosaic virus: This virus attacks edibles and ornamentals. It…

1 Prune dead rose blooms down to just above a strong leaf, feed to improve re-growth, and water well where the soil is dry. New growth on disease-susceptible cultivars will need a protective fungicidal spray. 2 Now is the time to sow spring cabbage to plant out in the autumn and cut as winter greens or hearted cabbages next May. 3 Lightly hoe the surface soil on the vegetable plot and flower borders to control weeds. Avoid deeper soil disturbance because it will just increase drying out and aggravate any drought conditions. 4 Sow winter-flowering pansies and violas to get sturdy young plants to set out in the autumn.…

Good compost is made of a well-mixed combination of soft and woody, green and brown ingredients. If you don’t have a compost turner, you will need to create the mixture by hand, whether you have an open heap or a closed ‘Dalek’ bin. Every few weeks, get a garden fork, dig it in, and lift and mix the plant material as it rots down. When doing this in autumn and winter, watch out for hibernating garden wildlife attracted by the heap’s warmth. A lack of moisture will slow down or stop the decomposition, so during very dry spells, at whatever time of year, remember to add a can or two of water every now and again. Getting the moisture level right can be a fine balance. Too much, and the…

ECHINACEAS are some of my favourite garden plants. Their beautiful, open-faced, daisy-like flowers are at their best in August, when there can be a lull in border interest and colour, and they are a magnet for bees and butterflies. Not only that, but they are said to be an excellent herbal shield for warding off winter colds and ailments. This week’s free seeds from Mr Fothergill’s are Echinacea ‘Large Flowered’, hardy perennials with tall, sturdy stems and purple petals fanning out from dense central cones – hence their nickname, ‘coneflower’. For the best results, sow them now under cover, nurture seedlings and young plants through winter, then plant them out next spring in free-draining soil and full sun. If Echinaceas have a failing – it can be that they are…

AS many of you may know, I have several plant obsessions. In spring, it’s snowdrops, and four years ago I was lucky enough to go to Ireland to visit snowdrop gardens. It was chilly and damp, yet the snowdrops were covered in tiny bees and birds were singing. I thought I’d spun back in time because I remember that sort of abundance in my childhood. While in Ireland I travelled by train, and looking out of the carriage window it was obvious why there were so many insects. It was a patchwork of small fields bounded by hedges, with some trees, scrubby areas and boggy patches. The landscape probably hadn’t changed in a couple of hundred years and the farming was mixed, with plenty of dairy herds. It’s hard to…

Pachystachys lutea Upright candles of yellow bracts have earned this Peruvian native evergreen the common name of lollipop (or golden shrimp) plant. Will reach 3ft (1m) tall. Aphelandra squarrosa ‘Dania’ Originally from tropical America, the zebra plant is pure glam rock with shiny, striped leaves and yellow bracts. Small chunks of stem with a leaf attached will root easily. Reaches 12in (30cm). Justicia brandegeeana The popular soft-leaved shrimp plant from Mexico bears tactile pink-tinged bracts of white flowers. Reaches 2ft (60cm) or more, and responds well to pruning. Strobilanthes dyerianus The Persian shield from Myanmar is often grown as a foliage plant for summer containers. Paired leaves reaching 6in (15cm) long are purple and silver above and a rich purple beneath. Grows to 3ft (1m) tall.…

1 Red spider mite: Various predatory mites (mainly Phytoseiulus and Amblyseius) are available for controlling this mite, which can attack various glasshouse crops. Usually dispatched as live mites in a tiny test tube; simply hang amongst infected crops. 2 Glasshouse whitefly: This is a major tomato pest. However, a tiny parasitic wasp, Encarsia formosa , lays eggs within the whitefly pupal scales, which then turn black (see above). Supplied as infected pupae; the wasps then hatch out of these to colonise your crops. 3 Aphids: Often a nuisance on peppers and chillies; as well as sucking plant sap, aphids can also transmit viruses. Predatory larvae of midges, hoverflies (pictured), lacewings and ladybirds are available to control aphids, along with parasitic wasps.…

1 Start lifting shallots once two-thirds of the foliage has turned yellow. Gently slide your fork prongs under each clump to prise them out of the earth. 2 Carefully break the clumps into individual bulbs, discarding damaged ones. Then lay them on a wire rack in a dry, sunny greenhouse for at least a month. 3 Once the outer skins are fully dry, rub off any loose material, snip off the top tufts of foliage, and store in a wooden or cardboard box somewhere warm and dry.…

HARDY geraniums are Britain’s favourite perennials. They are popular as groundcover and as partners for other perennials; they intermingle well with shrubs and roses; most are very well behaved and many are so easy to grow that it’s possible to build up quite a collection in no time at all. There are hardy geraniums for sun and for shade, for dry soil and moist, for containers as well as ground cover; some can be tempted to behave as climbers. A hardy geranium was even chosen by the Royal Horticultural Society as its Plant of the Century! Flowers of hardy geraniums come mainly in blues and pinks, often prettily veined, as well as purples and white –but not in yellow or orange shades, or vivid scarlet reds. Each has five petals…

ROSES and hardy geraniums make fine companions. The geraniums not only smother any weeds growing between the roses, but also hide the bare stems at their base. It’s a highly practical combination: the roses can be part-pruned in autumn when you cut back the ragged geraniums, and then the mulch applied. You can then finish pruning in spring, just as the geraniums are starting to grow; that way you’ll be able to see where to step. Then there’s the colour. Many hardy geraniums come in shades of soft blue – a colour palette missing in roses –and these can be used to create interesting colour combinations. Consider AGM varieties such as ‘Blue Cloud’, ‘Brookside’ and ‘Orion’.…

Buddleja davidii ‘Buzz Magenta’ (Buzz Series) The result of breeding work by Thompson & Morgan is a compact butterfly bush with 4ft (1.2m)-long branches that terminate with reddish-purple flowers. Lavandula angustifolia ‘Munstead’ Slightly more compact than ‘Hidcote’, this famous variety of English lavender has heavily scented, bluish-purple blooms on 18in (45cm) stems. It’s named after Gertrude Jekyll’s garden in Surrey. Hebe ‘Great Orme’ AGM This evergreen shrub grows up to 5ft (1½m) tall with a similar spread. Masses of 4in (10cm)-long pink spikes of flower fade to white, from mid-summer until October. Ideal in sun or partial shade. Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ Forming a thicket of tall stems clothed with glossy, prickly leaves, this shrub is topped with…

Clematis ‘Mayleen’ AGM This charming C. montana variety makes a great nesting site for birds, while bees will appreciate the vanilla-clove scented May-June blooms. Prune after flowering, taking care not to damage any nests. HxS: 33x61/2ft (10x2m). Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’ AGM Nesting birds will be grateful for the shelter provided by this honeysuckle – especially when it’s woven through a mixed hedge. The scented flowers lure insects; the berries are eaten by bullfinches and other feathered friends. HxS: 26ftx39in (8x1m).…

‘Amistad’ AGM A popular perennial salvia with large purple flowers held on striking black stems. Plants may need protection over winter, so it’s an excellent choice for a pot that can be brought under cover if harsh weather is forecast. Flowers: May-Nov. HxS: 5x2ft (1½mx60cm). S. confertiflora If you have the space for a large container, go for maximum impact with this towering sage. Its long red flower spikes (held on matching red stems) will bring a hefty shot of vibrancy to the garden from late summer to autumn. Flowers: Aug-Oct. HxS: 4x1½ft (1.2mx45cm). S. discolor With flowers in a purple so deep it is almost black – plus contrasting downy white calyxes – elegant S. discolor makes a very stylish container plant. Native to Peru, it’s tender and will…

What’s best for driveway? Q To benefit wildlife, I have banned my husband from using weedkiller in the garden, but we have a gravel driveway. He says if he can’t spray it, he is handing it over to me. How can I keep it reasonably tidy? Mags Donahue, Chesterfield, Derbyshire A Up until 10 years ago, we used a glyphosate-based weedkiller on our shingle driveway once a year. This dealt with tops and some perennial roots, but although it held weeds at bay, the drive was never weed-free, dying weeds were ugly, and I was never in favour of it. These days, the driveway might look ragged around the edges, but I make no apology for it. Weeding it a square metre at a time disturbs worms, woodlice, tiny spiders…

Festoon: Long string of large lights. Fairy lights: Like outdoor Christmas tree lights. Stake lights: Lights on raised stakes or strings of lights joined by a wire. Candle lantern: Container with glass windows. Tea light: Small candle about ½in (1½cm) tall and 1in (3cm) diameter, its base and sides encased in a metal dish. Uplighter: Designed to be set low on the ground to light a plant dramatically. Solar-powered light: A panel collects power from the sun and stores it in a battery for use after dark. The solar panel can be on each individual light, or separate and wired into a string of lights.…

THE first day of August each year is known as Yorkshire Day. The date was originally celebrated in 1975 as a protest against the previous year’s local government re-organisation, which resulted in the county’s borders, and its subdivisions of the North, East and West Ridings, being changed. Yorkshire has a strong gardening and horticultural heritage, so this is the perfect time to look at people, plants and places associated with it. Who is Yorkshire’s Mr Gardening? Geoffrey Smith (1928-2009): Presenter of Gardeners’ World from 1980-1982, as well as Geoffrey Smith’s World of Flowers and several other series under the Mr Smith label. Born in the North Riding (now part of County Durham), Geoffrey trained at the Yorkshire College of Agriculture and Horticulture and, aged 26, became Superintendent at the Northern…

Leeds Castle (pictured) is in Kent. Now owned and run by a foundation, it was once used by King Henry VIII and his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. It has more than 500 acres of parkland and formal gardens – and is 243 miles from Leeds. Sheffield Park is in East Sussex. A large lake and woodland garden, it was designed in the 18th century and is noted for its brilliant autumn colours. It is 224 miles from Sheffield. Barnsley House is in Gloucestershire. The amazing home and garden of leading 20th-century plantswoman Rosemary Verey is in Cirencester, 160 miles from Barnsley.…

The popular, slow-growing, upright golden yew, Taxus baccata ‘Standishii’, is named after Yorkshire-born nurseryman John Standish (1814-1875), who later jointly started Sunningdale Nursery in Berkshire. Russell lupins, some of the greatest flower-breeding successes of the past 100 years, were raised over a 20-year period by Yorkshire gardener George Russell (1857-1951) on his allotment. Our climate is always changing: the Romans planted vineyards – in Yorkshire!…

YOU probably know this, but snapdragons are so-called because their blooms resemble the boxy heads of Chinese ceremonial dragons and, if you hold the top of a flower with one hand and the bottom with the other, you can make them snap or ‘chat’ like a ventriloquist dummy. What many gardeners don’t know is that they aren’t annuals that live and die in a single summer, but short-lived perennials which, given shelter, come through the winter and happily last for two or even three seasons. During the summer, I’ve developed a snapdragon obsession, thanks to a chance seedling that sprang up against a wall among my roses. Its flowers are the colour of a peach melba and perfectly match the glossy golds and caramels of my ‘Lady of Shalott’ roses.…

ALTHOUGH they are usually sown in spring, snapdragons can also be sown in the soil or in pots between July and September. In pots, thinly scatter the seed on top of moist compost and don’t cover with more compost, as the seed needs light to sprout. Place in a cold frame or porch and then, when large enough to handle, transplant individually into 3½in (9cm) pots. Pots can either be kept ticking over in a cold frame until early spring, or planted in a sheltered spot. They can also be brought into the house in late winter to flower indoors in a cool porch in spring. Some need a little staking or other support as they grow, while others will happily grow unaided. Plants are best grown as single stems,…