You May have a busy time in the garden
The moods of the borders change rapidly, even by the minute in both dull and gloomy weather. Sunny days open the exuberant tulips, the stormy Alliums and, late in the month, the ruffled crimson sumptuousness of Peonies.
The freshest green of all is found in the crisp unfurling fronds of ferns - shooting up like Party blowouts, and glistening after a rain shower. There is so much to do this month that one could almost live in the garden!
As hard as it sounds, try to spend some time walking slowly around and enjoying the garden.
As this is such an exciting month, you will find there is something different to stimulate the senses each time you will go out there.
It’s certainly time to lighten up...
ALLIUM Sativum lightens the lush green woodland floor with drifts of small, pure white globes of florets. It will grow in semi-shady borders too, perhaps under Hydrangeas and around ferns, which are just awakening at this time of year. In a leafy soil, it spreads rapidly.
It can also be divided ‘in the green’ to make as much ground cover as you wish, for it will grow through a dense carpet of ivy and, amongst the dense foliage of bluebells.
Its leaves are extremely useful in salads, and to garnish vegetable or chicken soups, as they have the mild pleasant taste of garlic.
...and also weed up on the subject
ANNUAL weeds are now growing at an astonishing rate and there never seems to be enough time to keep on top of them.
If you're planning to give border plants an organic slow-release feed, such as chicken manure, you can also feed the weeds!
This makes them less likely to flower and reproduce quickly, and more likely to produce luscious soft growth - making them much easier to pull out in a week or two's time.
Don’t be b-eaten or held Hosta-ge
IN WARM damp weather, slugs and snails will be keen to feed on Hostas - quickly turning them to laced tatters.
Fast action is needed, but only organic methods should be used. Beer traps can work wonders, as can surrounding the plants with crushed charcoal, grit and broken eggshells.
PLANT young scented Sweet Peas out into a fully sunny position in rich soil. They can be planted against a rustic fence or near a willow obelisk to add height to the borders. Be sure to water frequently and feed weekly.
Sorting out some blackcurrant affairs
PRUNE back Forsythias and flowering blackcurrants fairly hard as they have now finished flowering. The result will be masses of luscious straight stems which will bear blooms from top to bottom next year.
And gardening all over the Cosmos
SOW Cosmos now that the soil is really warming up. Choose a sunny spot and ensure the seedlings have plenty of room to grow. Some slug pubs [beer or stout traps] may be necessary, along with some gentle watering with a fine rose if the soil is dry.
Work some magic – be an Alchem-ist
ALCHEMILLA Mollis unfurls and spreads out its silver sheened seashell shaped leaves.
This attractive foliage has a unique way of capturing dew and raindrops in such a way that the whole plant sparkles on a dull day and looks like being covered with shining stars the moment the sun comes out.
Its main flowering period comes a little later, during July and August and the clusters of inflorescences spread away from the main crown of leaves.
These flowers are a slightly greenish delicate gold colour, but are probably best removed as they start to go brown as they are extremely prolific self-seeders. Hence, you will rarely find this plant at the garden centre as the chances are you will know a neighbour or friend with some (or even lots) to spare.
These plants are dead easy to grow in any garden soil in sun or partial shade.
Three of a kind for your cottage garden:
LABURNUM, with its pendant golden chains, adds dimension to any border away from the house. They are relatively small trees – usually reaching no more than 25 to 30ft high. Plant container-grown specimens in neutral soil in full sun.
You supply the acid drops
PIERIS And Camellias have now begun active growth, and both will need deadheading to maintain future flowering displays.
They are among other acid-loving plants such as Rhododendrons, Calcifuges, and so would always benefit from ericaceous liquid feeds at regular intervals.
Occasionally, the aging foliage tends to go pale and even yellow during the autumn and winter - giving the plants a slightly anemic look to them.
Symptomatically, this is true, and the aesthetic qualities of these evergreens reflect their health remarkably well. A regular drench of sequestered iron during this few week active leaf growth period will really keep them healthy, and looking healthy.
So go for it!
You’re a lawn unto yourselves
CUTTING the lawns is regularly needed this month - perhaps even twice a week.
Edging with long handled shears gives a neat finish to informal borders, but clippings can be left on the soil as a 'green salad' for worms.
This gives you time to enjoy the garden, before the next job quickly arrests you!
Plant Rosemary (if you’ve got some spare Thyme)
IF YOU fancy trying something a little different in a small area, why not train Rosemary against a sunny wall or fence. Long, wayward shoots can be loosely tied back against a structure, and eventually, the shrub will form a very pretty informal ‘fan’ shape. After the April and May flowering period, the stems can be lightly trimmed to induce bushiness, and further flowering stems for next spring.
It May not be so cold
MAY is likely to be warmer than average overall, but rather wet with a few heavy and thundery downpours.
There are likely to be a fair few very warm and sunny days with mild nights and this should be one May with very few, if any, frosts.
DWARF Lilacs (Syringa) are well-suited to the smaller cottage garden, as they only eventually reach between 6ft to 8ft in height. They have all the perks of their big brothers, but in miniature, plus they do not sucker! Make sure you plant them in dappled shade.
YOU CAN’T beat cottage tulips. Their ruffled double blooms in peach, apricot, pink or white have a delicate pastel appeal, whilst being bold enough to make a real statement. They do best in a fairly sunny position, with some afternoon shade.
