Hello This is a busy time of year for gardeners. Not only is there any amount of work to do, but it’s time to start visiting gardens and attending garden shows. I’m actually writing this in the evening, and while the day has been pleasantly warm there’s now a definite chill in the air. Keep an eye on any plants you suspect may not be fully hardy for the next week or so. The cold weather has slowed down the development of many plants, meaning that there is more to enjoy now. About three weeks behind with its flowering is Elaeagnus umbellata, a deciduous shrub from the Himalayas, China and Japan. The flowers, small, creamy white and hanging from the stems in small clusters, have a particular fragrance – not fresh but like old face powder. It’s a spreading plant, with arching branches, rather like a Japanese maple in outline. I have it in a large container, but the plan is to plant it out at some point. It should do well, as the elaeagnus are a tolerant breed. I’ve done a bit of research on this, and it seems I should be cautious in recommending it, as it has the potential to become a weed (rather like Buddleja davidii). It is already a problem in eastern states of America (where it goes by the picturesque name of autumn olive), but may not be so troublesome in the UK. Mine has yet to produce fruits, and it’s the birds that feed on these and thus spread the seed. This will germinate almost anywhere, as the plant will thrive in a variety of soils. There’s a picture on my blog – but when did a photograph really give you any idea about a plant? I’ve been thinking about summer containers, and this year I am very taken with the idea of using socalled tender perennials. They’re relatively expensive to buy as individual plants (as opposed to trays of annual bedding plants) but will repay the investment as they’ll scarcely be without flowers between now and the first frosts – assuming you deadhead them, as you should. If you can be bothered, take some cuttings in September and you never need buy any plants again. I’m tempted by the combination of apricot osteospermums with trailing diascias, with their subtle, smoky, indeterminate colours – fleshy pinks and oranges mainly – and a good violet verbena. To fill in any gaps, my choice is for Lotus berthelotii rather than the more usual helichrysum. Both have grey leaves, but those of the lotus are needle like and shining – helichrysum leaves are circular and felted. (Towards the end of summer, the lotus will surprise you with a scattering of clawlike red flowers.) A single large container is easier to manage than several small ones. Multipurpose compost – with added perlite, of course! – is fine. The main concern is to keep the plants well watered and fed. Use either a tomato fertiliser or – easier – the pelleted type. Abandon any idea of organic – if you want masses of flowers throughout the summer, you have to rely on the artificials. Have a great month
Andrew andrewmikolajski.com BLOG: andrewmikolajski.wordpress.com