Woman's Weekly Living Series June 2021

A NEW CHARITY GARDEN FOR PERENNIAL The coronavirus pandemic has devastated the livelihoods of many people working in, or retired from, horticulture. The charity Perennial reported an unprecedented increase in requests for support and advice during the past year. The friendly team provides a lifeline to anyone who works with plants, trees, flowers or grass and are on hand to provide support for personal or financial issues. The charity gratefully received a significant donation in January, the home and garden of Sir Roy Strong. Speaking about his decision to bequeath his garden, The Laskett, to Perennial, Sir Roy said: ‘I have supported the work of Perennial for many years and see this partnership as a wonderful extension to my continued love of gardens and those who dedicate their time to…

The rose Nothing says summer like a rose in full bloom. Both the old-fashioned and modern types are hard to beat for scent and form, which is why it is still one of the most cherished of flowers. Many people worry about rose pests and diseases, but there are greener solutions to spraying, such as attracting beneficial insects or hanging bird feeders nearby. Blue tits are voracious predators of aphids, which they feed to their young. And modern breeding has given us healthier roses with glossy foliage. Many David Austin English roses offer disease resistance, reliability and ease of growing, without sacrificing fragrance and old-rose style. ✣ David Austin Roses are donating £2.50 from sales of three of its rose varieties in support of the National Garden Scheme, NHS Charities…

Now that the frosts are over, May and June is a good time to grow cut flowers to fill your house with colour and scent. Plantswoman and writer Sarah Raven gives us her top 10 plants to sow or plant now for a continuous supply of flowers this year… plus a few for next! ✣ Zinnia Direct sow after the middle of May in the south and early June in the north. ✣ Antirrhinum, amaranthus and Moluccella laevis (bells of Ireland) Do a second sowing of half hardy-annuals to give you flowers until nearly Christmas. ✣ Biennials Sow foxgloves, honesty and wallflowers for flowers next year. ✣ Dahlias and chrysanthemums Plant out tubers and chrysanthemums for late summer-autumn flowers. ✣ Cosmos Sow as soon as possible into Jiffy pots or…

FLYMO EASICLEAN LI PLUS 43 For swift cleaning around the home and garden, Flymo’s new hand-held EasiClean Li Plus is a battery pressure cleaner. It comes with a 6m hose, long and short lance, three nozzle attachments, 20l water container, foam dispenser, battery and charger. RRP £208.99 flymo.co.uk ECO-FRIENDLY NUTRIENTS EcoGro is a new range of plant food for flowers, vegetables or ericaceous plants, free from artificial chemicals and sustainably produced. Created in Cumbria by a team of farmers, they use by-products from anaerobic digesters and work naturally to ensure the long-term health of plants and soil. £9.99, ecogro.co.uk TRANSFORM WOOD AND TIMBER Help to define the style of your garden using wood stains, paints and preservatives from Protek. This British manufacturer offers long-lasting, protective products for every type of…

VERBENA ‘MARGARET’S MEMORY’ This perennial verbena was found on the Isle of Wight and is named in memory of garden writer Peter Seabrook’s late wife who suffered with Alzheimer’s. £14.99. Tel 0330 0582733; richardjacksonsgarden.co.uk SALVIA CARADONNA ‘INSPIRATION PINK’ A new pink variety, the blooms are set off by purple stems. A robust plant for pots and adding colour to borders. Height 40cm. Three plants for £20. Tel 0844 736 4208; suttons.co.uk COSMOS ‘APRICOTTA’ This award-winning, half-hardy annual bears large, round, soft orange-pink blooms on long stems, ideal for cutting. Sow in May. Height 1m. £2.95. Tel 01449 721720; plantsofdistinction.co.uk…

It’s time to think about flowers as we do about food – valuing seasonal, fresh, locally grown and unusual varieties over imports. British Flowers Week takes place 14-20 June and Flowers from the Farm will be encouraging people to buy British. Now in its 10th year, the association champions artisan growers of seasonal, scented and sustainable British cut flowers and has over 1,000 growers across the UK, cultivating at least 1,000 acres. Flower farmers grow with the seasons, producing flowers with the perfume and natural, informal beauty that can only come through ‘home-grown’ methods. Find your local flower farmers at flowersfromthefarm.co.uk…