PROJECTS FOR SUMMER
After a chilly spring that delayed both growth and outside work, the warmer days of summer are great for getting on with new garden projects – anything from a couple of new containers to a new border or patio. Garden shows and open gardens, large and small, local and national are a wonderful source of ideas, whether viewed on TV or visited in person. Chelsea kicks off the show season in late May and is crammed with gorgeous, impossibly immaculate gardens full of beautiful plants. Although the large show gardens are undeniably magnificent, I find the richest source of inspiration comes from the small plots that are much more realistic both in terms of scale and budget. The Great Pavilion is my favourite part of Chelsea: plant-lovers heaven with over 100 specialist nurseries and exhibitors. If battling the crowds at Chelsea doesn’t appeal, Hampton Court Flower Show (5-10 July) is a much more pleasant experience, in the extensive and beautiful grounds of the Palace. Here in Devon, though, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of gardens to visit: some that regularly open to the public like The Garden House, Cotehele and Lukesland, plus many gems open for a shorter time or just one day only for charity. St Luke’s Hospice now has around 20 open gardens including Gunnislake gardens on Sunday 19th June and my near neighbour, Lower Birch Farmhouse, Bere Alston, on the afternoon of 3rd July (it has wonderful views of the River Tamar). Whether you’re garden-watching on TV or in person, do take a notebook and camera to record all the plants and ideas that catch your eye – and do research whether or not the plants will thrive in your own garden before actually buying them! “Right plant, right place” might be an oft-repeated adage, but it bears remembering.
Seasonal jobs
- Biological controls can be used to tackle specific pests once conditions are sufficiently warm. This environmentally friendly approach uses insects or microscopic nematodes to combat common pests such as slugs, vine weevil and red spider mite.
- Ensure container plants are regularly and thoroughly watered. Installing a watering system is worth considering if you’re often away – or use ‘self-watering’ containers that have built in water reservoirs.
- Regularly train and tie in tall or cordon tomatoes and snap off the side shoots.
- Sow frost tender vegetables such as French and runner beans, courgettes and sweetcorn, or buy ready-grown plants.
- For quick, easy and splendid summer colour, direct-sow hardy annuals in sunny spots. Many blooms are wonderful for bees and other insects: natives such as viper’s bugloss and ox eye daisy blend well with Californian poppy (Escscholzia), Calendula (pot marigold), sunflower and nasturtium.
Looking good now
Early to mid-summer is a hugely floriferous time – so here are just a few of my favourites:
Clematis: large flowered hybrids have the largest blooms but need good soil and shelter.
Dierama (angel’s fishing rods)
Herbaceous geraniums: ‘Rozanne’ is an outstanding blue.
Lilies, especially Regal and Oriental types which are magnificently scented.
Roses: ‘English’ types combine the best characteristics of old and new roses.
Sue Fisher is a garden designer and writer based on the Bere Peninsula. Tel 01822 841895. Email: suefisher@talktalk.net Website: www.suefishergardens.co.uk