Garden Answers May 2023

I think May might be my favourite month in my garden. I’m never quite sure whether to call it spring or summer, for while some herbaceous plants are already flowering, many deciduous trees have yet to fully unfurl their leaves. This is an in-between time when both late tulips, narcissi, early poppies and peonies jostle for attention, giving us the best of both seasons. Everything in the garden is a fresh shade of green and, without the full canopy of tree leaves, the extra light filtering through and the frequent showers give everything a bright and sparkling quality. The extra special thing about this particular May is the King’s coronation. Whether you’re a monarchist or not, most gardeners will appreciate the extra bank holiday for a bit more time outdoors…

“This month in the garden I’ll be...” “… sowing my squash and courgette seeds and planting my runner beans.” Val Bourne writes about Highgrove, p6 “…sowing quick growing annuals for a cut flower patch, as well as for bees.” Sue Fisher is all for deutzia on p24 “…planting every large container I have with vegetables and herbs.” Helen Billiald writes the border planner on p34 “…trying to keep on top of the garden as it goes into its full spring ‘whoooomph!” Adrian Thomas on Chelsea’s wild gardens, p38 “…starting my winter veg seed-sowing efforts.” Dan Masoliver mulls over the trouble with gardening trends, p114 “…always excited in May as it’s my birthday and a trip to Chelsea on the same day.” Gill Lockhart designs the magazine…

1 The planting cleverly picks up warm tones of the landscaping with coral verbascum ‘Helen Johnson’. H90cm (35in), S40cm (15in). 2 The dusky cow parsley anthriscus ‘Ravenswing’ has black stems that stand out against the pale stone benches. H1m (3ft), S30cm (12in). 3 Hot pink Gladiolus byzantinus adds a shot of brighter colour to turn up the volume just a touch where needed. H70cm (27in), S20cm (8in). ALL ABOUT PLANTS This gold medal winning garden by Andy Smith-Williams at last year’s show mixes wild and wildlife-supporting plants with permeable surfaces, reclaimed stone and a eco-friendly water collection system. It was part of the All About Plants category, which was introduced in 2022 to showcase plants in all their glory, sourced from specialist nurseries where possible.…

Cirsium rivulare Angelica ‘Ebony’ Hart’s tongue fern Juniper ‘Blue Carpet’ Armeria maritima `Patio project EVERGREEN ESCAPE These barrels have been used to make a wilderness in miniature, featuring plants that mimic UK natives while putting on a more dramatic show. The prostrate evergreen juniper ‘Blue Carpet (H45cm/18in, S1.5m/60in) and heather-like Daboecia cantabrica (H25cm/10in, S45cm/18in) form a mat of heath-like green, while hart’s tongue ferns (H&S 45cm/18in) conjure shady woodlands . Mauve flowering sea thrift Armeria maritima (H30cm/12in, S35cm/14in), tall thistle-like Cirsium rivulare (H1.2m/47in, S60cm/24in) and a dark-leaved cultivar of angelia, ‘Ebony’ (H1m/40in, S50cm/20in), add splashes of rich purple. Daboecia cantabrica…

The first collection of Royal Mail Special Stamps to feature the King’s head will depict illustrations of gorgeous garden flowers, to recognise his passion for gardening. The first class stamps cost from £9.50 for 10 and feature a baby pink sweet pea, blue iris, deep pink Asiatic lily, a golden sunflower, pink fuchsia, red tulip, pink peony, orange nasturtium, pink rose and a pale lilac dahlia. Ordinary first and second class stamps featuring the King won’t be available until stocks run out of existing stamps featuring the late Queen’s head, so these flower stamps are likely to be the first stamps seen in circulation to show the King. ● Available at shop.royalmail.com/specialstampissues…

Paper star lights £42 Royal White Coronation Bundle: three lanterns included. paperstarlights.com Flower snips £13 Carbon steel scissor blades with ergonomic shape and finger loop. davidaustinroses. co.uk Kew gardening gloves £35 Handmade leather gardening gloves feature the Kew crest. shop.kew.org Golden spade £42 Niwaki Gold painted steel lightweight spade. niwaki.com Coronation Garden Party Lights £49.99 String of 10 warm white bulbs evenly spread across a 5m (16.5ft) cable. lights4fun.co.uk Plant markers £19.95 Set of five heather blue slate markers from Penrhyn in Wales. highgrovegardens.com Union Jack wool throw £130 Made with 100% cosy merino wool. highgrovegardens.com Copper gardening tools £72.95 Dipper, trowel and hand fork made from wood and copper-plated metal. theletteroom.com Taste of Highgrove hamper £60 Wicker hamper with strawberry and marmalade preserve, shortbread, loose tea, chocolate bar and…