May Newsletter 2018

FINALLY! The joy of seeing blue skies and feeling warmth on our skin has been wonderful. Everything was poised for ages and ages, and then burst forth in an incredible manner, with utter exuberance. Even with the blip of the last few days’ worth of cold wet weather it’s going to be full steam ahead in the weeks to come for all of us if we are to keep up. There’s a lot to tell you, and lots for you to do, as you’ll see in Sally’s Garden Tasks further down.

Firstly, after 6 years of keeping our delivery prices the same, we realise that we have to increase them as costs have certainly NOT remained frozen! We’re sure you’ll understand the reasons why, and we are reassured to know that we are still very much in line with other garden centres nearby.

If you live in an area where you were previously charged £5 it will now be £8. For those areas that were previously charged £8, it will now be £12 .

For the last 14 years we’ve kept the amount you have to spend to qualify for delivery at £50, but the minimum spend will now be £75 .

As always, as an alternative, we are happy to call a cab for you from a local, reliable company.

Onto the more pleasurable subject of plants …..

The garden centre is now full to bursting with the most wonderful array for you to choose from. It’s hard to know where to stop when we’re ordering plants at the beginning of each week, as the availability lists are filled with mouthwateringly lovely things. If you lost anything during the freezing winter months, rather than mourn the loss, why not embrace the opportunity to plant something new? I’ve been having a great time choosing some beauties to put in my new garden now that I’ve cleared some space.

Here are the edited highlights of what’s in stock:

• Perennials: As always, our small independent growers have done us proud. We use a couple of different growers, who between them grow an amazing array of plants. We’ve got some gorgeous grasses in stock, including Carex, Briza and Stipa. The Hostas have finally stuck their heads above ground, and we’ll try to have different varieties each week (as an aside, we’ve decanted some Strulch out of the usual 100ltr bags into smaller ones, and have them ready for you to pick up right next to the Hostas on the shady table. They are a good slug deterrent!). The Geums are looking lovely, as are the Salvias, Peonies and Tiarella. Come and have a look, as the range is changing every week
• Climbers: Along with the usual array of Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Passionflower and Trachelospermum (‘Star Jasmine’) we have some beautiful Wisteria, Sollya, and a really good range of Clematis, including the evergreen Armandii (one of the earliest flowering varieties, which flowers again in summer).
• Roses: Valerie continues to pick out some wonderful climbing, rambling, and shrub roses – from purest white to deepest red, all from David Austin. There’s a rose for every garden, even the shadiest, smallest of spaces, so you don’t have to miss out. There are some new varieties on offer this year, including Dame Judi Dench (apricot in colour, with an old tea rose scent), James L Austin (deep pink) and lemon yellow Vanessa Bell.
• Acers: Blazing burgundy, startling orange and vibrant green, the delicate leaves on these beautiful trees are gorgeous. They are the ideal tree for a small garden, and are happy grown in semi shade and also in pots. Their promise of spectacular autumn colour is what draws most people to them, but I love the way they look during the spring and summer just as much, with their filigree leaves moving at the merest hint of a breeze.
• Trees: There are many ornamental trees just coming into their own right now. We’ve gone out on a bit of a limb this year (excuse the pun) and bought in some more unusual, lesser-known varieties, such as Nyssa sylvatica Wildfire (amazing leaf colour in spring and again in autumn, with white flowers turning to dark blue fruit), Cercidiphyllum japonicum pendulum (perfect for small tight spaces, with a beautiful arching habit and heart-shaped leaves that smell like burnt caramel in the autumn), and Zelcova serrata Ogon (bright yellow leaves in spring, on the most amazing stems of burnished bronze/orange that positively glow in the winter months). I’ve named only 3 of the wealth of unusual beauties we’ve got in, and they sit alongside the more commonly known, but no less lovely species such as Betula (Birch), Sorbus and Magnolia.
• Fruit trees and soft fruit: David is delighted with our new supplier. The fan-trained and espaliered fruit trees are looking wonderful and are ideal if you are short of space but want a fruit tree in your garden. The blueberries are some of the bushiest we’ve ever had (if you’ve never grown them before, it’s best to have two as this improves pollination and therefore encourages a bigger crop.) Stawberries are now in stock, as well as raspberry canes, rhubarb, currants and more.
• Shrubs: The Ceonothus is exploding in a blue and purple haze; the Photinia are a blaze of vibrant red; the Cornus Kousa and Florida are both full of flower and bud, and the Pittosporum are looking deliciously glossy as their new leaf comes through. Yellow- and black-stemmed bamboo are selling fast as they are looking fabulous.
• Herbs: The range continues to increase as the weather warms up. The Hairy Pot range is available now, which many of you have come to love over the years. Their unique coir pots are totally environmentally friendly, and the range is deservedly getting a lot of good press in the current ‘ditch the plastic’ climate. For the first time we are selling empty coir pots (up in the brick shed, alongside the plastic pots).
• Vegetables: The range again is increasing all the time, and it seems that each year we stock more and more varieties of tomatoes!
• Summer bedding: We are almost at the point of having the full range of summer bedding in. These hard working little gems line the driveway to our gates, waiting to tempt you as you arrive. They will reward you with constant colour and charm all through the summer, as long as you remember to feed and water them.

Apart from plant stock, other things you might want to have a look at are the range of rusty iron plant support spirals – essential for tall herbaceous perennials that may flop over if not supported. They blend into the border beautifully and all but disappear from view while supporting your growing plants, be they herbaceous or otherwise. Then, once the plants die back, they look great left in situ over winter as they add structure and interest.

The range of pots for both indoor and outdoor use continues to expand …. we’ll need a bigger garden centre to house them in soon!

With the longer evenings and warmer weather, our thoughts turn to al fresco dining, and what better way to do so than with a Kadai firepit/barbeque. We have 3 sizes available, so that even a small terrace or patio garden can have one gracing it. We finally have some bistro tables and chairs back in stock too.

In the shop the new range of Green and Blue contemporary bird feeders and solitary bee and insect ‘bricks’ is causing quite a stir. These beautifully designed and UK manufactured items not only look fabulous, but have been winning awards countrywide.

Martyna is keeping the houseplant area looking like a jungle at the moment. She is a mine of information on all things to do with keeping your indoor space green and lush, so make sure you speak to her if you have any questions.

Sally’s section of ‘tasks’ follows. Don’t be daunted by the huge amount you could be doing this month. Remember, the wise gardener always takes some time to sit back and enjoy looking at the fruits of their labour. Even better if you can do so with friends and family, on a warm late spring evening, with something chilled and delicious in hand.

Whatever you’re up to this May, make sure you take time to enjoy your garden, and I hope to see you soon.

Karen

Garden jobs

The year continues to surprise and disappoint in equal measure with changing weather and temperatures, but gardens seem to have sprung to life at last. With the lengthening days, we can embrace the season and get on with both the hard graft and the enjoyable jobs in our outside spaces.

General garden maintenance

• Stake or support plants before they need it. This is essential for herbaceous plants which get tall or for those, like peonies, that produce heavy blooms.
• Keep on top of weeds before they take over beds, borders and containers.
• Sweet peas need training and tying in to their supports to encourage them to climb and make a good display.
• Continue to tie in shoots on vigorous climbers, such as clematis, roses, honeysuckle and jasmine. Ensure that shoots of climbing roses are tied as near to horizontal as possible. This suppresses the flow of sap and encourages the plant to send out more side shoots, which will produce more flowers.
• Deadhead remaining spring bulbs. Give the leaves a feed and let them die back naturally thereby feeding the bulb which stores energy to produce next years flower. Divide clumps of 'blind' daffodils, dig them up and plant them in a new spot.
• Towards the end of May, think about the ‘Chelsea Chop’ on perennials which have a habit of getting tall and unwieldy, including some Sedum, Rudbeckia, Helenium, Veronica and more. The idea is to cut or pinch back plants by half resulting in bushier plants that flower later in the season and often flower more prolifically.
• Keep watering any recently planted shrubs and trees, including fruit, even if it has been raining. They won’t have had time to get their roots down yet, so are vulnerable to dehydration.
• Thin out direct sowings of hardy annuals. This is best done in two or three stages at fortnightly intervals.
• Lift clumps of Forget-me-nots as they fade and before they set too much seed.
• Trim back spreading plants like Aubretia and Alyssum after flowering to encourage fresh growth and flowers.
• Mulch beds and borders with a good organic compost, after weeding and watering the ground underneath. The worms and other bugs will take the nutrients down into the soil, and the mulch will help with water retention and weed suppression.

Container gardening

• Now is the time to clean containers and plant (1) summer bedding for months of glorious colour, (2) herbs for the kitchen, (3) a classic long lasting group of perennials for sun or shade or (4) a specimen plant as a statement or focal point.

1. Plant up troughs, pots, window boxes and hanging baskets with summer bedding plants. Take your pick from the wide selection including Nemesia, Geranium, Petunia, Calibrachoa, Fuchsia, lobelia, Felicia, Diascia.... there is such a range of plants which will flower through until the autumn. Incorporating water retaining crystals and slow release fertiliser in the compost will help to ensure a continuous display throughout the summer.
2. Herbs make attractive container plants. Plant some favourite herbs near the back door, or on the balcony... there's nothing better than stepping out to cut a handful of fresh herbs to to use in the kitchen. Use Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary and thyme in a sunny spot, and mint, parsley, tarragon, coriander and dill in more shaded surroundings.
3. If you’d like to plant a container to last for a few years, choose herbaceous perennials such as long flowering Erysimum Bowles Mauve, grasses, Sedum, Nemesia, lavender - there are so many options. In shade, you could try combinations of Hosta, ferns, Heuchera, Vinca - once again, there is a good choice.
4. Specimen plants: an individual plant can be given the planting conditions it needs and look fabulous in a container.
   1. Trees and shrubs: try an Acer, a patio fruit tree or bush, Hebe, Daphne, Pitosporum, Pieris, hardy Fuchsia and Rose - all good possibilities.
   2. Herbaceous perennials which make excellent container subjects include Agapanthus, many grasses, Dahlia, lavender, Convulvulus cneorum, Verbenas, Hosta and Foxgloves - think about the position of the containers and choose accordingly!

• Get into a routine of watering your containers in the morning or evening, not the middle of the day, and get to know how much different plants need. In sunny or windy weather, you will need to water more.
• Start a feeding regime. You can boost plant growth and health tremendously with the right fertilisers, either by using slow release fertiliser when you plant, or with a weekly fertiliser when you water.

Pruning

• Early flowering Clematis such as C. montana C. Alpina and C. armandii can be pruned after flowering to keep in check, and this may lead to another flush of flowers later.
• Prune overgrown Camellias once they finish flowering and start putting on fresh growth. Cut to young side shoots, which will flower next spring. Feed with an acidic fertiliser.
• Evergreen hedges and topiary can be lightly clipped to keep them neat. Make sure your shears are clean and well-oiled before use. Pick an overcast day, or wait until after the sun has set, to avoid leaf scorch. Ensure that birds aren’t nesting, and if necessary wait to do the pruning until the young have fledged.
• Cut out any plain green shoots on variegated shrubs and trees.
• Thin Spirea when the flowers have faded removing up to a third of old wood.
• Cut back the flowered stems of Choisya to encourage a second flowering in the autumn.

Planting

• The ground is warming up ready for planting. The lengthening days of spring are perfect for plants to get their roots down and top growth up.
• Plant with the right compost and drainage.
• Always remember, right plant, right place. Choose plants which will thrive in the conditions - lavender loves a sunny spot, but will be lank and sulky in the shade. Ferns, Tiarella and Vinca will thrive in partial or full shade, but may risk being frazzled in full sun.
• Have a look at our Planting Instructions for advice on planting if you aren’t sure.

Vegetables and herbs

• Lots of vegetables can be sown outside this month, as the temperatures rise. Try french beans, courgettes, squashes, quick and easy radish, sweet corn and many more.
• Plant out vegetable and salad crops in containers, grow bags or the vegetable garden for tasty home grown crops later in the summer.
• Crops such as rocket, lettuce, basil, coriander and others can be sown successionally every 10 days or so for continuous cutting over the summer.
• Earth up potatoes by 10cm when shoots are 23cm tall.
• Pot on tomato and other young vegetable plants into larger pots. Make sure there is a well developed root system - if not leave them for a bit longer before moving them into individual pots.
• Harden off all young vegetable plants before planting out, in a cold frame, or by placing them outside during the day and under cover at night. You can cover them in pots or in the ground with a layer of horticultural fleece.
• Vegetables and herbs can be grown in the smallest of spaces, in the ground or in a variety of pots, trugs and other containers. Find a sunny spot for tomatoes, chilli and peppers, but if sun only reaches an area for a few hours a day, go for a green crop of lettuce, rocket, pak choy, spinach or other green leafy delicacies.
• Pinch out the growing tips of herbs such as lemon balm and mint to stop them flowering and encourage bushy growth.
• Devise a routine of feeding and weeding your vegetable garden and containers, and water regularly.

Fruit

• Keep fruit plants and trees well watered in dry spells to ensure good setting and fruit development.
• Harvest rhubarb, picking no more than a third of stems at one time.
• Cover strawberry beds with straw. Feed every couple of weeks with tomato fertiliser.
• Mulch around fruit trees and bushes to discourage weeds and retain moisture.
• If you don't have space for an orchard, there are fruit trees and soft fruit which can be grown in containers very successfully. Have a look at our guide to Fruit in containers

Companion planting

• Companion planting, where plants are positioned to benefit neighbouring plants, can help in the battle against pests, and help with pollination.
• Many herbs have nectar rich flowers which will attract beneficial insects to the garden.
• Some herbs have strongly scented leaves which can repel unwanted insects, so can be useful planted around the garden. Try planting sage next to cabbage-family plants to repel cabbage-white butterflies, chives next to apples to prevent apple scab, or next to roses to prevent blackspot.
• Nasturtiums are one of the plants which will attract blackfly away from precious crops.
• Carrot fly will start to appear in May. Sow carrots with annual flowers such as Love-in the-mist and Cornflowers in a roughly 50:50 ratio to discourage them.

Lawn maintenance

• This is a perfect time to sow new lawns, or to lay new turf. See our instructions for Laying turf
• Continue with your lawn maintenance routine this month, increasing the frequency of cutting as long as the weather allows you to.
• Keep the blades high for the first few cuts, and always leave grass longer in shady areas.
• If using a ‘feed and weed’ product on your lawn, ensure it has been very well watered in, either by luckily timed rain or by hand with a hose or watering can.

Garden pests

• Guard against slugs and snails - here are some steps to try:
  1. Rake over soil surfaces to expose slugs and their eggs to predators.
  2. Think about growing hostas and other susceptible plants in pots, raised off the ground, with copper tape below the rim.
  3. Use a mulch of gravel or grit on pots and around plants and seedlings.
  4. Encourage natural predators, such as birds, into your garden, who will happily munch on molluscs! Keep bird feeders topped up, and put up nesting boxes.
  5. Frogs and toads will eat slugs, and a pond (however small) will encourage these amphibians to take up residence.
• Look out for Scarlet Lily Beetle and squish them when you find them.
• Viburnum beetle larvae can damage the leaves of evergreen and deciduous Viburnum. Keep a sharp eye on them.
• Aphids can multiply rapidly during mild spells. Remove early infestations by hand, spray with a soap solution, or treat with a pesticide.
• Watch for blackspot on roses and treat with a systemic fungicide.
• Adult vine weevil chew notches in leaves of plants such as rhododendron, camellia and olive. However it’s the vine weevil larvae which do the worst damage to plants in containers, eating the roots. Tip out the rootball of suspect plants, and look for the creamy, orange headed maggots, which tend to curl up into a C shape. If you find them, take very swift action to eradicate them, with chemical or biological controls, or by disposing of the compost and starting afresh.

Wildlife

• Remember to keep feeding the birds as they begin to nest and raise young. Leave water for them too.
• Sow or plant wildflowers to encourage insects, butterflies and bees.
• Plant single flowers which are easier and better food sources for insects than double blooms

This is a busy time in the garden, but such an enjoyable one. Hopefully there will be days and evenings to sit out and relax, or time to visit a garden open through the ‘National Garden Scheme Yellow Book’ or the Dulwich Gardens open for Charity’ Garden scheme. The first RHS show at Malvern next weekend is quickly followed by Chelsea Flower Show, where there’s always lots of inspiration.

Happy gardening!

Sally