An exotic June afternoon
Yellow Loosestrife adds joy to the borders, shining in gold for many weeks.The strongest sunlight of the year also brings abundant flag Iris flowers, shining blindingly.
The cooler blues of Iris Siberica and perennial Geraniums shimmer just as cheerfully. Huge blue Hosta leaves have now fully expanded, and are still looking fresh, providing the perfect foil for pale or silvery flowers, such as Allium christophii and pale pink Lupins.
The battleground of competing weeds, and sprawling bulb foliage is calming down, and the early summer border begins to look full and impressionable. Enjoying the garden in a relaxed way can now begin in earnest for the summer...
Iris eyes are smiling
Iris Siberica adapts well to most growing conditions. It is usually regarded as a moisture-lover, or pond-side plant, but will thrive in amazingly light, dry soil.
Its grassy leaves have a pleasant appearance, and form a nice contrast to other neighbouring plants. The leaves also contrast the very pretty intense blue flowers, which measure around 2 or 3 inches across. These flowers are eventually followed by extremely attractive oval shaped seed heads, which persist right through the winter.
The seeds, from these, can be sown in trays of compost during winter or early spring, and germinate quite easily. Spare plants can always be squeezed in amongst shrubs, to provide some ground cover.
Full on sun...full on blooms
SCABIOUS are a timeless favourite, producing tight clusters of petals within the flower throughout the summer, but are always at their best early on. They are easy to grow in full sun on a light, fairly dry, soil.New compact hybrids are now available, such as ‘butterfly blue’ and ‘butterfly pink’.
Once planted, do not attempt to move or divide them as they resent disturbance. Instead, have a go at saving seeds in late summer and sowing them straight away in trays of sandy compost which can be left in the open throughout the winter. These should germinate the following spring.
Some jobs that are long over-June
PLANT herbs into gravel paths or gravel beds to add fragrance and zest to your walkways.
Alternatively. Gaps between natural stone paving slabs or very narrow borders can be excavated with a trowel and refilled with a sandy compost such as John Innes, mixed with plenty of fine grit to provide a very sharp drainage.
As long as a position in full sun is chosen, most herbs will excel in these conditions, but those most suitable would include Thymes, Dwarf Lavenders and Sage – all of which tolerate light treading or being brushed against.
Here comes the sun!!!!
AS SOON as summer is here, there is one plant that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Whether you are looking out of your window, on your way to work, or visiting a show garden, there is nothing better at this time of year than seeing a giant Sunflower - or maybe even several.
Throughout June, some will be just starting to establish, while others will be preparing to bare their blooms. Make sure yours are in a sunny position, well-watered and even well-fed with chicken manure.
Remember, you can grow them somewhere sheltered in pots to get them started off and then move them to where you would personally like to see them in your garden.
And, because everyone loves a sunflower, they suit any border, patio or pot.
Water – you really ought ta
WATERING is going to be needed now that the really warm weather is upon us. After a particularly dry winter and early spring, yet again, water is, of course, in short supply.
During hot spells, it is best, only to water those plants that really need it. When watering, be sure to thoroughly soak the soil - even if surface run off means coming back to the same plant or clump several times over.
A deep soaking encourages deep rooting, and then reduces the need for daily or frequent watering. A shallow sprinkle can do more harm than good, as only the soil surface receives moisture, which draws plants roots upwards - making them more susceptible to drought.
Also, surface wetting is liable to evaporate rapidly during the morning hours - leaving plants wilted for the heat of the afternoon.
Three of a kind for your cottage garden:
GLEDITSIA is a distinctly dwarf tree which produces very short, slightly silvery and thorny stems.
These are attractive throughout the year. During late spring, the new buds very rapidly burst into golden leaf-lets which expand into full beauty in June. This tree has just the right sort of cottage appeal with similar foliage to Wisterias, but with stronger appeal.
PHILADELPHUS, commonly known as ‘Mock Orange’ produces its slightly sweetly scented large white flowers for much of June and early July. This shrub is easily grown in most soils on a sunny site. After flowering, the shrub can be pruned back to shape or, if time is limited, a third of the oldest shoots can be thinned out in autumn or winter without affecting next year’s blooms.
ALLIUM Christophii displays its huge globes which are somewhat flat at the top. These are a silvery, pale purple colour which have a delicate sheen in the strong June sunlight. They are an ideal contrast to blooms which have very different shapes, such as Lupins and roses. The dried flowerheads can be harvested afterwards for use at Christmas
June will leave us high and dry
JUNE is expected to be a notably dry month with significantly higher than average temperatures. The most distinctive hot periods should occur both early and late in the month with a cooler spell in the middle.
