Innholdsfortegnelse for 31-Aug-2019 i Amateur Gardening

“We’ve had more letters from AG readers shocked that the RHS awarded a gold medal at the Hampton Court Festival to a garden that was little more than a pile of rubble, littered with coffins and an abandoned trolly ( Letters , page 50). Have designers lost sight of what we love to see — creative and colourful use of plants to inspire our own gardens? Is this considered passé by designers and the elite who judge these shows? If they don’t come to their senses, there will be fewer AG readers paying the £40 entry fee. And I don’t blame them.”…

1 Cooler, damper weather means more pests. Beer traps catch slugs and snails, and don’t forget to add late caterpillars and grubs to the bird table. 2 Clear away allium heads. The larger ones make intriguing indoor arrangements, and if kept and dried you can harvest their seeds. 3 Turn your compost to get a good mix and leave it uncovered so rain can get in. If you haven’t done so already, create a bin to store fallen leaves for leafmould. 4 Cut back dead pea plants, leaving their roots in the soil to release the nitrogen stored in their nodules. Sow quick-growing autumn crops such as radishes and winter salads. 5 Don’t neglect houseplants. Keep on deadheading, feeding and watering. They will soon start to need less food and…

A NEW photographic awards category focusing on the world-famous Sissingurst Castle Garden has been launched by and International Garden Photographer of the Year (IGPOTY) in conjunction with the National Trust. The new free-to-enter award joins nine regular categories including The Beauty of Plants and Beautiful Gardens, which together attract some 20,000 entries annually. It is the first time the renowned garden, created by Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson and now cared for by the National Trust, has had its own category in the world’s premier garden, plant and flower photography competition. Until Sunday, 6 October, visitors are invited to capture the beauty of Sissinghurst, pictured above, for the chance to have their work exhibited at the garden and published in the annual IGPOTY hardcover book. Head gardener Michelle Cain said:…

1: Rare Plant Fair: Adwell House, Thame, Oxon OX9 7DQ. ✆ 01278 661352, rareplantfair.co.uk 1: Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/ gardens/harlow-carr 1: Artisan Food Fair: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, Rosemoor, Torrington, Devon EX38 8PH. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org. uk/gardens/rosemoor Until 8: People’s Dahlia Competition: RHS Wisley, Wisley Lane, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB. ✆ 0203 176 5830, rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Until 22: Surrey Sculpture Society Trail: RHS Wisley 2: RHS Members Gardening Advice: RHS Harlow Carr, Crag Lane, Harrogate, North Yorks HG3 1QB. 3: Garden Tours with the Friends of Harlow Carr: RHS Harlow Carr 3-4: The Riches of Late Summer Plants in Gouache Painting with Sarah Jane Humphrey, RHS Rosemoor 3-8: RHS Wisley Flower Show…

WHAT you buy a man who wants nothing when it’s his birthday? This is the dilemma I face every year in August, because the Best Beloved is not interested in the material world. He could put his possessions into one cardboard box, possibly two, which is rather worrying because, however well you get on as a couple, there are times when everyone wants to walk away. I’ve bought him some unappreciated presents over the years, and the telescope – not cheap, by the way – was passed on to grandson James after staying in its box for several years. Last year I bought a moth trap and that also stayed in its box for almost a year before a visit from granddaughter Ellie, a 12-year old eco-warrior, made the Best…

Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis ‘Sunburst’ This medium tree with a spreading habit enjoys full sun and a sheltered spot. Stunning lime-green foliage in summer and golden-yellow autumn foliage. Amelanchier lamarckii A small tree or large shrub that’s ideal for a tight space, in sun or partial shade. Wonderful white spring blossom. A fairly slow grower. Strong autumn colour. Malus transitoria A tree with unbeatable spring blossom. The autumn crab apple fruits are tiny, but appealing to birds. It’s wide spreading, but classed as a small tree. Prunus serrula A small tree with a fairly quick rate of growth and wonderful mahogany bark. Starts as an upright but will spread. Flowers in April and has attractive autumn foliage. Betula ermanii Silver birch offer dappled shade…

1 Plum moth: Grapholita funebrana can wreak havoc. Eggs laid on branches in summer hatch into pink caterpillars that tunnel into developing fruits. Spray with pyrethroid-based pesticides once fruitlets appear, or hang pheromone traps in trees during early May. 2 Plum rust: Caused by the fungus Tranzschelia discolor, this is a case of live and let live. Although the orange spotting on the leaves can look alarming, the disease occurs quite late in the season and the fruits themselves are luckily unaffected (no fungicides are available). 3 Silver leaf: This is one fungus that is readily controlled by cultural means (which is handy, as no fungicides claim to kill it). The airborne spores are far more prevalent in late autumn and throughout winter. These enter via pruning wounds, so only…

1 The bulbs’ foliage will be dying back, but it’s time to speed things up. Gently slide the prongs of a garden fork into the soil under the bulbs, and part-prise the onions out. 2 Within the next week (especially if it’s sunny), onion foliage will turn from green to yellow-brown. After lifting each bulb, rub off the excess soil and place on a wire rack or slatted tray. 3 Check for quality, using up damaged or bolted bulbs in the kitchen rather than storing them. Place the tray/rack in a dry, sunny, airy spot to let the healthy bulbs dry fully.…

AS more and more of us are tempted to grow exotic-looking container and border plants, the popularity of Cannas is on the rise. Colourful and dramatic – yet so easy – they are an obvious choice. But what exactly are they? Cannas are perennial plants, characterised by their bold foliage and vividly colourful flowers – they’re related to bananas and strelitzia, so you get the idea. Their upright stems develop from fat rhizomes that are rather like those of flag irises but which develop 4-8in (10-20cm) below the soil’s surface. Stout and usually self-supporting, as the stems grow, large elliptical or paddle-shaped leaves unroll and from July to October bright (but admittedly rather untidy) flowers open at the top of them. Fabulous foliage That dramatic foliage varies in colour: in…

CANNAS make superb planting partners. Their stout, vertical stems are never overwhelmed, and there’s usually space between them into which other plants can sneak. Bushier options such as dahlias are ideal; choose foliage and flower colour to complement your Cannas. Dahlias with divided and toothed foliage such as ‘Bishop of Llandaff’ look especially good with large, paddle-shaped canna leaves. Other plants that work well in fiery colour tones include crocosmias, tithonias, tall African and French marigolds, and orange and yellow cosmos. Recently we’ve seen larger-than-life varieties of fibrous begonia, such as the Big Series, and these hide the gaps at the base of Canna plants well. Looking for contrast? Consider hardy and half-hardy salvias in blue or purple – ‘Black & Blue’, for example. And I like using Cannas to…

Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ Lavender-blue flower heads with distinct petals shine out from late summer into autumn on mildew-free plants that are 28in (70cm) high and 16in (40cm) wide. Echinacea ‘Art’s Pride’ Apricot-orange daisies with prominent central cones bloom from July to October, reaching a height and spread of 24-36in (60-90cm). Must have well-drained soil. Rudbeckia fulgida var. deamii Known as black-eyed Susan, this rhizomatous perennial from Indiana rises to 24in (60cm) and relishes moderately fertile and slightly heavy (and therefore moist in summer) soil. Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Alice Haslam’ True Michaelmas daisies have a reputation as mildew-sufferers. This occurs mainly on poor, dry soils and is hardly noticeable on plants grown well. This beauty reaches 10in…

Narcissus ‘Breezand Tristar’ AGM Nodding heads of delicate cream and butter flowers adorn this vigorous April-flowering narcissus, which was bred by bulb maestro Janis Ruksans. Looks great in containers; likes full sun. H: 16in (40cm). Allium ‘Pink Jewel’ Lollipop heads of pink starry flowers sit atop the sturdy stems of this allium, which flowers in May and will attract pollinators. For best results, dot it through the middle and back of the border. Full sun. H: 32in-3ft (80-90cm).…

Echinacea purpurea Features large, daisy-like blooms with prominent orange-brown central cones surrounded by a ring of bright pink petals. The late summer and autumn flowers fade to attractive seed heads. Plant with: ‘Mrs Hegarty’. HxS: 5x1½ft (1½mx45cm). Anemone x hybrida ‘Honorine Jobert’ A fabulous late-season perennial with ethereal white flowers held on tall, wiry stems from August to October. Great for adding height to a border, it’s happy in partial shade. Plant with: ‘Sunrise’. H&S: 4ft (1.2m). Ceratostigma willmottianum This Chinese plumbago is a spreading shrub with vivid cobalt blue flowers from August to October. These are surrounded by a mass of green foliage that changes to deep red as the weather turns cold. Plant with: ‘Alba’. H&S: 39in (1m). Anemanthele lessoniana Pheasant’s tail…

Q We are doing everything to encourage wildlife to use our garden, but don’t see many butterflies. What can I plant to attract them apart from the obvious buddleja? Gwen McLaughlin, Brinscall, Lancs. A With a name like butterfly bush, nectar-rich buddlejas planted in sun and sheltered from wind are an obvious choice, especially to attract butterflies such as peacock, red admiral, small tortoiseshell and comma. The caterpillars of this group are all nettle-feeders, so try leaving a clump in a sunny spot, convenient for basking and egg-laying. Red admirals are generally migrants, but the others overwinter as adult butterflies, relying on undisturbed shelter in hollow trees, sheds or garages. According to their life cycles, our native butterflies are on the wing at specific times, and not all at once.…

1. Step ladder to access roof apex 2. Long straight edge 3. Pliers for removing stubborn nails 4. Claw hammer and pin hammer for removing and fixing nails 5. Stanley or other heavyweight craft knife 6. Roll of waterproof roofing felt 7. Short, galvanised ‘clout’ nails with a broad, flat head 8. Tape measure 9. Felt adhesive to seal overlaps Do’s & don’ts of felting a shed roof Do Buy good quality felt. V ery cheap thin felt tears easily when you work with it, and probably won ’t last as long as heavier grade felt. Use adhesive carefully to fix felt where it overlaps for a strong joint, but apply it out of sight, beneath the overlap . Nail in straight lines with even spacing for a strong fix…

THE so-called eastern cyclamen (C. coum) is the most often-seen hardy cyclamen species, and is at its best from mid to late winter, managing to keep its blooms for three months. The pointed buds open to light or dark pink, or white. Look for Pewter Group (pictured), which carries pink to magenta flowers. ‘Golan Heights’ is pure white, and ‘Tilebarn Elizabeth’ has tiny flowers of pale pink to white with deeper flushes. Most have rounded leaves, plain dark red on the underside, and with lovely silver and green patterning on the top – sometimes with a Christmas tree-like pattern in the centre. Although the plants themselves are tough, the leaves may be damaged by a severe frost.…

I WAS very interested to read Tamsin Hope Thomson’s article ‘Months of colour with Sensational Salvias’ ( AG , 27 July). I thought your readers would like to see the fabulous magenta colour of my special Salvia ‘Tubular Bells’. I was thrilled to be given one of these rarer salvias last year when I visited the Lamphey Walled Garden in Pembrokeshire – a garden lovingly restored with rare and unusual plants. I treasure this plant and hopefully, if I follow Tamsin’s instructions, I will be able to propagate it from cuttings to pass on to my friends. Marilyn Pitcher, Caerphilly Wendy says: A truly vibrant variety, Marilyn. If you ever make it to Great Comp Garden in Kent, there’s a salvia specialist called Dyson’s Nurseries based at the garden.…

THE mornings feel cooler, the lights are being switched on noticeably earlier each week and the swifts have left our skies and headed south – not that there were anywhere near as many as usual this year, which was a concern. Autumn is just around and as the seasons switch, gardeners will have their hands full continuing with the summer work while also factoring in the things that need doing for autumn. Deadheading and harvesting, pest and disease control, feeding and watering crops and containers – it’s a busy time after the slight lull of midsummer when things could largely be left to tick over. One of the major jobs we have been doing this week is replacing old, rotten trellises with new ones to support our climbing roses and…

1 Clear the sowing area of weeds and debris, rake to a fine, crumbly tilth and water generously. 2 Scatter the large, tufted seeds thinly over the soil. If any are too close together, thin seedlings later. 3 Carefully rake a thin covering of soil over the seeds and water well with a can that has a fine rose attached. 4 Label the seeds so you don’t disturb them. You could also add some poppy seeds to the mix to create a natural display.…

DO you get through lots of pairs of gardening gloves each year? If so, perhaps a pair of gloves aimed at the ‘professional’ could be the answer. Town & Country produces a vast array of gardening gloves, but one of the latest additions to its range is the Mastergrip Pro. The company claims the gloves are ideal for ‘professionals’ who demand the ultimate grip and durability, with a latex-coated thumb and palm to keep hands dry and a breathable back to provide comfort. The gloves have been in use for the past six months for weeding, digging, potting up and general tasks in the garden and on the allotment, and have proved comfortable and flexible to wear. The smooth latex surface helps with fiddly tasks, like tying in beans and…

EVERY year in summer, I take to the motorways and visit the trial and show gardens staged by wholesale seeds and plants company Ball Colegrave, at West Adderbury, near Banbury. It opens to the public for one afternoon and early evening, and this year raised £11,842 for its local hospice and the David Colegrave Foundation, which makes grants to people studying horticulture. “Cut alstroemerias last up to three weeks in water” Amateur Gardening listed this event, and I met readers there among the masses of flowering plants and hundreds of new cultivars likely to be introduced in the next year or two. Visitors are requested to place a blue flag with their favourite flower, and it was not surprising to see blue flags amongst some of the latest alstroemerias. We…

At this stage of the test (8 August), the plants with the darkest foliage, which is a deep, dark green, are growing in the Dalefoot compost. The biggest tomatoes are on the ‘Crimson Crush’ plant in the Dalefoot compost. The most tomatoes are growing on the ‘Moneymaker’ plant in the Melcourt compost. In total there are 42 tomatoes on the ‘Crimson Crush’ plants and 71 on the ‘Moneymaker’. Plants in the Westland compost have produced 28 tomatoes, plants in the Melcourt compost 42 tomatoes and plants in the Dalefoot compost 43 tomatoes. Next month: How many ripe tomatoes will each plant produce – and what will they taste like?…

I AM writing this article on the hottest day of the year so far. My laptop is perched on the potting bench, which is in an old stone building so it’s the coolest place to be. With temperatures reaching more than 30°C, I’m not planning to work outside. If we continue having summers as hot as this, having some shade in the plot will be essential. My advice to those who really want to garden on a warm day is to get up early and work in the coolest part of the day or try to work in the shade. Those short on shade should plan to plant a tree. I’m convinced that every garden, where space allows, should be home to at least one small tree. My border terrier…

types like ‘Goyo Kumba’ and ‘Snowy’ also require you to get your eye in. You might mistakenly allow a few to over-mature (again, indicated by dull, wrinkled skins) but pick as full-sized as possible. AUBERGINES can take a long time to get going in summer but once they do, boy, are they productive! The evolution of grafted plants (where a variety is propagated on to a supercharged rootstock) has increased yields further, so how do you pick them at perfection? With conventional, purple skinned, egg-shaped varieties such as ‘Bonica’ and ‘Moneymaker’, the harvest indicator is straightforward: as fruits mature, they emit a hollow thud when tapped, yet their skin remains shiny (dull, matt skins are a sign of over-mature fruits). It’s trickier to determine the texture of slender-fruited forms like…

1 Sweet, scrumptious figs are now ripening. Best eaten when fully ripe, mature fruits hang downwards, darken in colour and also develop skin crack s. 2 If your climbing French or runner beans are flagging, strip off every pod (small and large), douse with a liquid feed, and they’ll recover well. 3 Purple and white sprouting develop as top-heavy plants. Insert a stout cane alongside each one and secure it to them with some twine to deter wind rock. 4 Garlic, bulb onions and shallots can be lifted and laid on wire or wooden racks in a dry , sunny spot. This helps dry the outer layers, ready for storage . 5 Don’t throw away this season ’ s used growing bags. They’re perfect for batches of winter salads in…

Order rhizomes by mail order during winter. Store them frost-free. In late March or April start rhizomes off individually in large pots (about 8in/20cm) of fresh potting compost. Keep pots in a frost-free greenhouse; warmer (15ºC/59ºF) is better than cooler (5ºC/41ºF), but frost-free is essential. If no heat is available, delay potting until late April. Keep compost moist. As shoots develop make sure they have good light. Plant out in June, after the last frost in your area. Alternatively, plant rhizomes 4-6in (10-15cm) deep, in containers or in the open ground, in late May.…

Tulipa ‘Estella Rijnveld’ With extravagant white and red petals that are feathered and twisted, this gorgeous heirloom tulip is a delight when it blooms in April and May. Grow in generous pots in sun. H: 20in (50cm). Muscari ‘Jenny Robinson’ (syn. ‘Baby’s Breath’) AGM A pretty grape hyacinth that produces scented pale blue flowers in April. Plant in well-drained pots – alone or with white narcissi – and position in sun. H: 6in (15cm). Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Woodstock’ Grow for blooms in a deep shade of beetroot – ideal with pink and apricot tulips. Place near a path or door to enjoy the scent. Sun or semi-shade. H: 1ft (30cm). Narcissus ‘Petrel’ A striking triandrus daffodil, ‘Petrel’ produces graceful, scented white flowers with…

What is this tuberous triumph? Q What is this plant and how do I look after it? Barry Lea, via email A The plant you have asked us to identify is a variety of Begonia boliviensis. As you can guess from its name, it originates from parts of South America. It is a tuberous begonia so it comes back year after year if the tuber is stored correctly through the winter. This plant is of special historical interest to gardeners because was introduced to Europe in 1864 and is one of the species used to produce the first hybrid tuberous begonias in England. To keep tubers over winter they should be allowed to die down naturally once the leaves start to fade. Tubers should then be stored somewhere frost-free and…

A comma basks on the petals of a sunflower. Caterpillars feed on hop, nettles or currants. This species hibernates in adult form. Red admiral butterflies usually arrive as migrants and then breed on nettles. This one sips nectar from a late-flowering Michaelmas daisy. A small copper visits Verbena bonariensis. Caterpillars eat dock and sorrel, with the last generation of these larvae overwintering. Painted ladies (this one feeds on Buddleja ‘White Perfection’) arrive as migrants during May and June. They breed during summer but they cannot withstand our cold, damp winters.…

WHEN most people talk of cyclamen, they mean the large-bloomed pot plants found in garden centres around Christmas. They brighten our rooms with highly coloured flowers, and last for a good few months before they run out of steam. But there are also the small, daintily flowered hardy outdoor cyclamen. For me, these are much more beautiful and interesting plants. Now is a crucial time for both types: tubers of the indoor hybrids should be started into growth again if you want them to colour up by Christmas, while the outdoor types can be planted out now. Let’s look at some of the stories surrounding cyclamen. Tender cyclamen POTTED houseplant (or florists’) cyclamen, forms of Cyclamen persicum, have been intensively hybridised over the past century, initially to achieve large flowers…

THIS is the feast day of St Fiacre of Breuil – the patron saint of Gardeners. He lived from around 600-670AD, and was raised in a monastery where he taught himself about herbal medicine and later became a Catholic priest and abbot. He was also a devout gardener. He moved from his native Ireland to France, where he built a religious retreat, with a large vegetable and herb garden. It is also said he was known for performing healing miracles, curing all manner of diseases by ‘a laying on of hands’. Officially, he is the patron of growers of vegetables and medicinal plants, of florists, and of gardeners in general, including ploughboys! Further, he is the patron of taxi cab drivers, box makers, and, curiously, of the victims of hemorrhoids!…

I GOT fed up with my old boring lawn with planted borders and having to cut the grass time and time again. So I decided to look at ways to improve it. One day when I was walking round my local garden centre, I saw a display of gravel and old pieces of slates with rockery and alpine plants. This gave me the inspiration to remove my lawn and replace it with something very low maintenance. I removed the turf and slowly designed the layout, and started to plant alpine and rock plants with the odd perennial here and there. I didn’t place any weed control matting down under the gravel in the hope of plants self-seeding and, as you can see, many have already spread. I now have one…

Garden wildlife will soon start feeding up and searching for places to hibernate. Give wildlife a hand by leaving some seedheads to ripen for the birds (goldfinches love teasel seeds). After deadheading hollow-stemmed plants such as irises, leave the stalks standing, as many insects like to hibernate, or pupate, inside them. A quiet area of long grass and discarded twigs is an ideal sanctuary and hunting ground for all types of creatures, including invertebrates. Hedgehogs will be feeding up for hibernation, so help them by leaving out meaty pet food, but not dried mealworms, which will make them ill.…

A CHANGING of the guard at a much-loved national institution is always likely to ruffle a few feathers. But when the guard in question is in charge of overseeing the RHS’s flagship garden at Wisley, you may need to be prepared to see a few feathers fly. “You just have to hold your nerve,” said Matthew Pottage, who is the youngest-ever RHS curator not just at Wisley, but in the society’s history. “When I started to rip out the roses for the exotics border, people were writing to [RHS director general] Sue Biggs the and calling me the ‘monster of Wisley’. “She was incredibly supportive and let me get on with it, and that’s what you have to do. You have to stand up for yourself and what you believe,…

1 Plug seedlings and cuttings are being raised in three designer colours per single cell, called Trixie; all the gardener has to do is push them into hanging basket compost. 2 Very free-flowering callas on taller stems and in eye-catching colours will be available next year. 3 Stems are plucked from alstroemeria, not cut, although the white end is cut off before arranging in water. 4 Where space is limited, plant up with the VertiGarden system.…

“Have you thought about the rest of the plant?” SUNFLOWERS are well known as fun plants for kids to grow. They are also valuable as a food of economic importance with their oily rich seeds. However, we may have overlooked other uses for them in our gardens. Obviously, we know that the huge heads provide copious nectar for bees and other insects. We also know how birds love those seeds – after all, they rob the lot if we don’t protect them. But have you ever thought about the rest of the plant? Those thick stems are commonly pulled up and composted, yet they can make superb winter hostels for all sorts of little critters. Just cut them into short lengths and pack in open-ended boxes to fix to a…

Buy from a specialist nursery, where the staff will advise you on the ultimate shape and size of the tree. Look at how the shape of the tree will impact on the design of your plot. Consider the view from all windows. Choose a tree with more than one season of interest – winter bark, spring flowers or autumn foliage. Summer-fruiting trees offer huge interest and help to attract bees and birds to the plot, but their fruits can be a little messy. Acers are popular for small gardens, but they are slow growers and can suffer from scorch if your site is hot.…

‘Czar’: A productive early cooking plum that can also be eaten fresh once fully ripe. The stone is easily removed, and the fruit cooks down to a lovely deep ruby-red. Self-fertile. ‘Denniston’s Superb’: While many gages can be fickle, this delicious golden-fruited variety crops reliably and heavily. Once fully ripe, they are soft, honeyed, aromatic and juicy. Self-fertile. ‘King of the Damsons’: This damson (also called ‘Bradley’s King’) yields impressive crops of good-sized purple fruits. The rich flavour is less astringent than other varieties, and perfect for preserves or drinks. Self-fertile.…

YOU might not believe it, but with a little extra care and savvy variety selection, your winter squashes will keep into June – from an October harvest, that’s an impressive eight months of storage! The secret is to choose varieties with longevity in their genes (‘Crown Prince’, ‘Hunter’ and ‘Honey Boat’ work well for me) and to help them ripen fully. This encourages the outer skin to harden and ‘cure’, which in turn forms a protective rind over the tender, moist flesh inside – it’s a bit like wearing a leather jacket! If the outer skin is thin or damaged, the life of the squash is compromised. A thin skin lets too much moisture escape, and damaged areas are an entry point for fungal and bacterial rots. Sufficient sun is…

YOU may have come across these tiny fruits – they’re the latest on-trend squash. While most members of this family (Cucurbitaceae) are gargantuan beasts, the cucamelon ( Melothria scabra ) is more diminutive. Sow the small seeds in individual pots in early April, ready to pot into larger containers (two per 10-litre pot) in late May; you can transplant them on to the plot, but pot culture suits them well. The tender perennial vines are slow to bulk up, but once they do their yield is prolific. Add supporting canes or pea sticks as they establish, and expect tiny yellow flowers (male and female blooms are borne separately) by mid-summer. Shortly afterwards, beautifully marbled 1in/2½cm-long fruits will develop with a sharp, cucumber-like taste. Blitzed into salsas or pickled with dill,…

SPECIAL varieties have been developed for growing from seed; look for the Cannova Series and the Tropical Series. At around 2-21/2ft (60-75cm), both are short in growth, which means they lack the impact of other varieties; however they are impressive in patio pots. File through the hard seed coat with a nail file, then soak seeds overnight before sowing at about 21ºC/70ºF in January – seedlings need a long growing season. Move into 3in/7cm pots once they’re large enough, then into bigger pots if necessary, and keep them growing frost-free before hardening off and planting after the last frost.…

Plant in light, moderately fertile soil in a sunny position. To space the plants out correctly, check the size as compact varieties might spread to cover 12in (30cm) while others will cover 3ft (1m). Water in well, and while establishing. Feed occasionally (when the soil is moist) with a well-balanced liquid formula. Aphids (greenfly) are occasionally troublesome, but they are best left for nature to deal with. Take 3in (8cm)-long cuttings from spring to autumn, remove flower buds and dibble four-five into a 3½in (9cm) pot of 50:50 multi-purpose and potting grit. Cover with ventilated polythene and place out of full sun while rooting. Prune to tidy overwintered plants in spring, trimming away dead stems and shortening weak growths.…

Narcissus ‘Jenny’ AGM A beautiful cyclamineus daffodil, with lemon trumpets that fade to cream, plus cream reflexed petals. Despite its daintiness, it’s a toughie that will naturalise well. Flowers: Mar-Apr. H: 1ft (30cm). Tulipa ‘Doll’s Minuet’ This fantastic tulip blooms like a magenta-pink flame in the border during April and May. Grow with orange tulips, copper and mauve wallflowers and grasses, in sun. H: 16in (40cm). Anemone nemorosa ‘Robinsoniana’ AGM In April and May, this wood anemone has lavender-blue flowers with silver backs. Plant in humus-rich, well-drained soil in dappled shade. H: 8in (20cm). Convallaria majalis var. rosea When grown in humus-rich soil in dappled shade this pink lily of the valley produces scented bells in May. Takes time to…

March-April: Tulipa turkestanica AGM with Narcissus ‘Toto’ AGM, Scilla ‘Pink Giant’ and Ophiopogon planiscapus ‘Kokuryu’ AGM. April-May: Tulipa ‘Ballerina’ AGM with Allium atropurpureum, Stipa tenuissima AGM and Chaerophyllum hirsutum ‘Roseum’. April-May: Tulipa ‘Artist’ AGM with pink, amber and burgundy wallflowers, cushion spurge (Euphorbia epithymoides) and Dryopteris erythrosora AGM. April-May: Tulipa ‘Uncle Tom’ with Bergenia ‘Silberlicht’ AGM, pink and beetroot hyacinths and Carex oshimensis ‘Evergold’ AGM.…

‘Alba’ A dainty flower with pale green buds that open to reveal exquisite pure white flowers. Looks lovely interplanted among short grasses that like similar moist conditions, such as Molinia (purple moor grass). HxS: 16x8in (40x20cm). ‘Sunrise’ Large, rose pink flower buds open fully to produce flat, star-like blooms. Later into flower than some, ‘Sunrise’ is one of your best bets for a flag lily that will still be putting on a show at Christmas. HxS: 2x1½ft (60x45cm). ‘Oregon Sunset’ With flowers in an intense coral red with paler patches, this eye-catching plant will add much-needed shots of colour to autumn borders. Or try in large containers (at least 1ft/30cm across) for a dramatic display. HxS: 2x1ft (60x30cm). ‘Mrs Hegarty’ A heritage variety with delicate pale pink flowers that really…

Q Please could you identify this grass for me? Michael Hamblin, Malmesbury, Wilts A It is a soft rush (Juncus effusus), a native perennial that forms thick tufts in boggy marshes and pastures. Other varieties include bulbous rush (J. bulbosus), round-fruited rush (J. compressus) and hard rush (J. inflexus). Q Why haven’t my cosmos flowered yet? Margaret Greenfield, via email A The quickest and earliest varieties take 70 days from seed to flower, but the tall varieties take much longer. Therefore, if you didn’t sow until May or later it might explain why they haven’t yet flowered. Don’t despair because they readily flower well into October. Q What is this shrub, please? Krissi Marwood-Cross, via email A Your shrub is Clerodendrum bungei. Also known as glory flower, it hails from…

IF you don’t fix leaks in the roof of a timber shed, it will deteriorate and rot. A new shed costs anything from £200, not to mention the effort it takes to build. In contrast, refelting the roof takes just a couple hours, costs £40-£60, and should last 10 years or more. What you need for the job First, measure your shed roof and work out how much roofing felt you’ll need. Felt is usually supplied in rolls 1m x 10m. For a small 4x6ft (1.2x1.8m) shed, one roll will cover the roof with lots to spare, but remember you need generous overlaps at joints and around the roof edges. Roofing felt comes in several weights and styles. The lightest (and cheapest) will do the job but can tear easily…

WEEDS can creep into even the most well-maintained gardens and can be a nuisance to remove. To help you reclaim your garden from pesky weeds, Roundup is giving AG readers the chance to win a Roundup Telescopic Wand, plus Total and Path gels. The Roundup Gel Wand extends up to 86cm, meaning you can get to weeds no matter where they are, leaving your garden beautifully weed-free. Total Gel is ideal for treating weeds in hard-to-reach areas, killing the root so weeds don’t come back. For weeds that grow on hard surfaces, such as paths, drives and patios, Path Gel weedkiller gets to the root of the problem. We have one bundle to give away, worth £32.50. How to enter Send your name and address on the back of a…

I READ with great interest your feature about Hampton Court Place Festival ( AG , 3 August). I totally agree with you over the giving of medals. Yes, I feel that the Dream of the Indianos garden should have got Gold. The fly-tipping? Nothing. I am sick and tired of these journey gardens, where the presenters go into raptures about the path of this, or the journey of something else. Why can we not just have beautiful gardens that are pleasing to look at and have stunning flowers? If a person with mental health issues saw the ‘fly-tip’ garden, he or she would be distraught. A person needs a garden to be a sensory haven, perhaps with scented plants such as lavenders for calmness, water to soothe the mind, and…

IN the first summer after planting/ sowing, Echiums grow short trunks topped with a tuft of leaves. In the second, they flower – but only if the trunk and the leaves come through the winter unscathed. That’s why they need your warmest border. That said, with a greenhouse or polytunnel, it’s possible to get the plants to flowering size by growing in 10in (25cm)-plus plastic pots that are filled with peat-free compost – they like the good drainage. So many seeds are produced when they bloom, you will always have a supply to chance in different parts of the garden.…