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JOHN'S GARDEN, 'ONE OF THE FINEST GARDENS IN THE UK', IS OPEN EVERY SATURDAY more
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- June
- The Flower Garden
The Flower Garden
Bedding plants, geraniums, fuchsias and begonias may be planted outside now that all danger of frost has passed. When planting up patio pots and hanging baskets always use good quality compost such as Supagro (only from Ashwood Nurseries).It also helps to add water retaining granules and slow release Osmacote Plant Food Tablets. Special attention must be paid to watering as these can dry out very quickly especially during hot spells: these will also need regular feeding with Miraclegro to produce healthy growth and a high potash feed such as Phostrogen to encourage flower production. If your garden needs an injection of summer colour, then it’s also the perfect time to plant out showy tender perennials such as salvias and agryanthemums.
Watering is of prime importance at this time of year especially with newly planted subjects. When watering these it is essential to soak the ground thoroughly: if only the surface soil is moistened it will encourage the plant to make surface roots that are more liable to suffer from drought. Try to target water to plant root areas only, ideally using drip watering equipment. Apply a mulch to borders (after rain when the soil is still damp) to conserve moisture and keep down the weeds. Watering of any plants is best done in late evening at this time of the year.
Regular hoeing and hand weeding will keep borders weed free and is best done in dry spells so that the hoed off weeds quickly shrivel. Apply weedkillers such as Pathclear to paths and paved areas before the weeds get too big. Choose a dry day when there is no wind, taking care not to allow the weedkiller to drift or splash onto cultivated areas nor allow it to seep into ponds where it may kill the fish and plants.
Deadheading the first flush of roses is an important task this month and throughout the summer if the flowering period of many plants is to be prolonged. The dead heads should be removed with secateurs and the stem cut back to a leaf or leaves. Side buds can be removed from roses if quality blooms are required. Remove any suckers as they appear. Tie in new growths on both rambler and climbing roses using Flexi-tie. Spray roses every 3 weeks as a precautionary measure against pests and diseases with combined fungicide and insecticide. Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas also benefit from deadheading after flowering, taking care not to remove next year’s potential flower buds emerging at the base of the old flowers. Prune spring- flowering shrubs such as Syringa, Weigelia, Philadelphus, Deutzia and Escallonia after flowering to encourage new growth.
Early flowering herbaceous may also be deadheaded or cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush of blooms. Herbaceous plants will benefit from a light feed of Maxicrop liquid seaweed extract or a general fertilizer such as Blood Fish and Bone. Tall plants, including Delphiniums and Paeonies, will need staking against wind damage if this has not already been carried out. Bearded iris may be divided after flowering.
Hydrangeas are also best planted this month as this allows longer for the plant to establish, but it does mean you have to be prepared to water them regularly especially during dry weather. Clematis can also be planted now and should be planted slightly deeper than they were growing in the pot to protect against clematis wilt and encourage a well-branched plant. Tie in young shoots on established clematis regularly and keep well watered during dry spells. Apply a proprietary clematis food up to flowering time. The early flowering C. armandii, C. montana, C. alpina and C. macropetala types can be pruned as necessary.
Sowings of winter flowering Pansies and Polyanthus can be made in seed trays and germinated in a cool spot in the greenhouses, outdoor frames or other sheltered places. Hardy perennials, such as Lupins, Hollyhocks and Delphiniums etc. can be sown outdoors, as well as biennials such as Wallflowers, Sweet William and Forget‑Me‑Not.
Lily beetle is one of those RHS top 10 problems that makes its appearance this month and it can be treated chemically by applying a proprietary insecticide evenly all over the foliage including the underside of all leaves and is most effective as a preventative rather than a control. You can hand pick them off and then crush the bright red beetles. Another idea is to lay some large sheets of newspaper under your lilies and shake the plants displacing the beetles to the newspaper where they can be screwed up and incinerated in a safe place.
Keep a look out for slugs and treat with a proprietary organic slug killer, a safe and organic method of controlling slugs leaving no trace of slime secretions like other slug controls. At the first signs of aphid damage on plants, spray with a combined contact and systemic insecticide to eradicate them. Aphids can cause physical damage by sucking the sap and they can also spread viruses. Take care not to spray when plants are in full blossom otherwise the bees, which pollinate these plants, may also be killed. Treat diseases such as mildews and fungal leaf spots with a proprietary fungicide.
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