Gardening Mary Payne MBE

Planning ahead is important

THEtulip season has come to an end in our pots and borders and the alliums are taking over while the herbaceous perennials are getting their act together to give us a riot of colour through the summer months. By the way, you may be thinking that the leaves on alliums look tatty at this stage and have done their job so can be cut off. So, it is time to plan ahead and think about next spring’s display, while you can still remember your successes and failures from this spring.

I have already ordered nearly 9,000 spring bedding plants, not for my garden I hasten to add – as the suppliers must start sowing now to have plants ready for the garden centres for you to purchase in late September/October.

You can grow your own pansies, wallflowers, and polyanthus from seed, although for the number you require the packet of seed may cost more than a tray of plants.

Polyanthus have been out of fashion for many years, while the primrose has taken over, but it’s worth remembering that polyanthus last much longer than primroses and make an excellent “base plant” through which tulips can be planted in pots.

They are also useful to fill gaps in spring borders. The most vigorous are the yellow and white shades. The blues and reds, sadly, tend to lack vigour. After flowering, polyanthus can be dug up, cut off the foliage and replanted in a shady spot and they will be ready to transplant back in the autumn.

Wallflowers, as bare root plants in bundles of newspaper, are also hard to acquire these days, mainly because they have a short “shelf life” in garden centres compared to pot grown plants. Given a spare plot of land wallflowers are easy to grow.

Sow seed thinly in late May/June in a sunny position and keep well-watered. Either thin the seedlings to about 6” (150mm) apart or better still transplant the seedlings when about 3-4” high into new ground 6” apart and water well.

The transplanting breaks the tiny tap root which encourages a better root system and a bushier plant for transplanting into their final positions in the autumn. It is a good plan to decide on both the plants and bulbs for pots at the same time to get the colour scheme right.

We all like getting “something for nothing” so taking cuttings is an easy way to increase the stock of plants for your own garden, or to give away to friends or charity plant sales next year. Late June and July are the ideal time to take cuttings of many deciduous and evergreen shrubs.

The soft growth produced in the spring has toughened up a bit and is less vulnerable to rotting. Fairly basic procedures can also be used. Take shoots of this season’s growth and trim them just below a leaf joint so the cutting is about 4/5“ long and then pinch out the immature tip. Dip in a hormone rooting gel and dibble them around the edge of a pot of open, well drained mixture of multi-purpose compost and grit or perlite.

Water well and cover with a plastic bag, sealed with a rubber band. Stand the pot where it gets NO SUN, but reasonable light. Wait until you can see roots coming out of the bottom of the pot before taking off the plastic bag.

Ideally, wait until next spring before separating the cuttings and potting them up individually. There is something very satisfying about rooting cuttings or raising plants from seed yourself.

Take a critical look at your borders during the summer and make notes about improvements to be made. If any plant really is not performing for you then it is time to take it out and try something else. My gardening motto is “if in doubt take it out”.

Try to ensure that the plant you choose will like the position you are proposing to plant it in as regards sun or shade, moist or drier conditions. There is a wealth of information online to help you as plant labels can be vague.

With MARY PAYNE MBE

Try to vary the texture of foliage on adjacent plants – some have spiky, some feathery and some bold foliage which always look good when combined. Likewise vary the form of the flowers. Daisy shapes, contrast with spikes, or button shaped flowers.

Early flowering shrubs such as forsythias, flowering currants, deutzias and weigelas are all valuable spring flowering shrubs and now is the ideal time to prune them. Simply thin out some of the oldest wood from the base of the shrub. This will encourage new growth to develop which will flower the following year and if done regularly this method keeps plants in check from over-growing their space.

We have just had an incredibly dry four-six weeks with hardly a single April shower. Be prepared for more dry spells. Mulch borders with 2” of wood chip to trap in the moisture. Grass clippings can also be used in modest amounts and are excellent on vegetable beds, provided lawn herbicides have not been used.

As this is the year of the Queen’s Jubilee, we are all being encouraged to “plant a tree for the Jubilee”. But now is not a good time for tree planting, unless you are prepared for a summer of regular watering.

So, I suggest you plan ahead and get funding in place for an autumn planting when the soil is still warm and moist. Once planted you can register your tree with the Queen’s Green Canopy website by sending a photograph of your tree and it will be plotted on a map and you will receive a virtual plaque, or you may prefer to order a physical plaque.

J U N E GA R D E N T I P S

• New shoots on any climbers, but clematis in particular, should be tied to supports to prevent them breaking. Old early flowering clematis can be cut back hard if necessary. • Check your roses regularly for greenfly, black spot and mildew. • Magnolias can be pruned this month. • Check grafted plants for suckers growing from the rootstock. If left, they can rapidly outgrow the top of the plant. Check roses, fruit trees, Viburnums, lilacs, maples and most ornamental trees. Remove the suckers as close to the roots as possible so that there is no stump left from which more suckers can grow. • Make certain that newly planted trees and shrubs are getting enough water and that it is actually reaching the roots! Trees need a minimum of two gallons a week. • Snap off dead flowers from rhododendrons and azaleas. This will tidy them up and improve their shape. Trim over long shoots on camellias. All these be watered and fed well now as next year’s buds are already forming! • Plant out those annual herbs that often resent being planted too early. Basil will prefer a very sheltered spot. • Plant outdoor tomatoes, ridge cucumbers, courgettes and marrows. These can all be easily grown in large pots or grow bags on the patio.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NURSERY

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We specialise in the manufacture of quality standard and bespoke garden buildings to suit your individual needs including:-

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Plant sale for charity

Pictured (l to r) Jacky Head, Wendy Gregory and Claire Banfield

MOREthan £720 was raised for Christian Aid by the annual plant sale organised by Hazel Rider in the courtyard of Church Farm, East Harptree, by kind permission of Guy and Gill Stobart.

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NGS GARDENS OF THE MONTH

Frome gardens

9, Catherston Close

A warm welcome awaits at the five differing town gardens participating in this group opening. 9, Catherston Close will bowl you over where the unexpected awaits you around every corner. This garden is a Gold Winner of Frome-in-Bloom. 61, Nunney Road’s new owner has redesigned the garden with a terrace, lawn, shrubs, flowerbeds, old fruit trees, two small ponds, a wild corner, also a veg patch and greenhouse. 71, Lynfield Road has “hot” colour and lush planting including a Chusan Palm. Their back garden is restful with seating areas, formal pond and patio. 84 Weymouth Road, designed by Simon Relph in 2015 to celebrate his life, includes architectural arches and geometrical raised beds around a central raised pond. 1 Tucker Close is a small walled garden with wide beds, exuberant planting with wildlife in mind and small cauldron pond. Opening dates and time: Sunday, June 19th, 12-5pm. 84, Weymouth Rd is open from 1-4pm. Combined Admission: £7.50, children free, cash only.

OTHER GARDENS OPEN FOR THE NGS

June 9th: Watcombe, 92, Church Road, Winscombe, BS25 1BP, 2-5pm, adults £5, children free. June 11th and 12th: The Hayes, Newton St Loe, Bath BA2 9BU, adults £6, children free. teas. June 18th and 19th: Four Lympsham gardens 2-5pm. Combined admission, adults £6, children free. July 3rd and 4th: Honeyhurst Farm, Rodney Stoke, BS27 3UJ, 2-5pm, adults £4, children free.

To see more gardens open for the NGS, see The Yellow Book, or Local County Leaflet, available from local Garden Centres, or go to: https://www.ngs.org.uk

Salvage “treasure” proving popular at Middlecombe

NESTLEDinto picturesque countryside at the edge of the Somerset village of Congresbury, Middlecombe Nursery have been growing and selling hardy plants since 1988. Started by Isy and Nigel North, this thriving family business has acquired an enviable reputation for the quality of their plants, as well as their friendly service.

Their range encompasses everything you’d expect, including an extensive variety of hardy perennials expertly grown here by Isy. For those in need of something instant, Middlecombe also offers the widest choice of large “specimen” trees and shrubs in the area.

Whilst plants are Isy and Nigel’s enduring passion, when daughters Becci and Leigh joined the company they decided to considerably expand their range of garden products.

Middlecombe’s eclectic “Garden Shop“ features carefully selected ranges of garden tools, seeds, pots, flower bulbs and organic plant care products. Here you’ll also find an ever-widening range of indoor plants and quirky handmade garden ornaments.

Most recently, Nigel has made time to indulge his keen interest in vintage gardening tools and “gardenalia”, the demand for which, he’s discovered, is considerable. So much so that he now searches far and wide for what he describes as “garden treasures”.

This term Nigel applies to everything from tin baths, agricultural water tanks and chimney pots to rusted garden rollers and “matured” lichen-clad statuary. Unlike newly-manufactured items, these salvaged, reclaimed and repurposed gems are all unique and characterful, many of them bearing the detailed patina that only age and weathering can bestow.

Finding future custodians to cherish and put these old items to imaginative new uses as planters, water features and focal points is all part of what makes it so enjoyable.

He said: “What is really exciting, though, is that I never know what may turn up next – there’s always something different and interesting waiting to be unearthed.”

The tranquil setting of this enduring family business is perfectly complemented by its relaxed and friendly atmosphere. You, your family and your dog will all receive the warmest of welcomes.

Middlecombe Nursery is just yards from the A370 Bristol to Weston Road on Wrington Road, Congresbury and is open seven days a week.

Tel 01934 876337 • www.middlecombenursery.co.uk • Instagram: @middlecombe.gardenalia

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School celebrates 150 years

UPHILL Village Academy is celebrating its 150th anniversary. It was founded by the Graves Knyfton estate to serve the local community, replacing the old parish school.

A special commemorative book has been published by the Uphill Village Society and the academy drawing together the history of the school and memories from past and present pupils and staff.

In addition pupils at the school will be involved in a series of activities and projects looking back at the past 150 years culminating in a special day at the school when the children will dress and take part in various activities from different decades in the school’s history.

Work from the children will be displayed as part of a special exhibition staged by the village society at the Victory Hall. This exhibition will also look at the history of the village itself and the past 40 years since the Uphill Society was formed in 1981.

The exhibition is open May 25th-27th, 2-8pm and on Saturday, May 28th, 10am-

Headteacher Edward Dyer with pupils 1906

Details: Stewart Castle 01934 415581 or the school 01934 626769

Axbridge heritage trail

AXBRIDGEis set to launch its Heritage Trail, giving people the chance to learn more about the history of this medieval town. It follows the success of its Children’s Trail launched last summer, giving children a quiz to complete on a tour ending at the children’s playground, with answers on the group’s website.

Around 40 properties on the new trail will display blue plaques, with QR codes in windows, leaflets and a website giving further details of the history of the property or the people who once lived there.

The trail will be launched on June 12th, 2.30pm, outside the King John Hunting Lodge museum, by the mayor Pauline Ham.

After the cutting and eating of cake to the sound of Axbridge Sings they will be serenaded on their way as they follow the trail around the town.

Leaflets can be picked up from businesses in the square, the church and the museum. If you are feeling fit you can also try The Axbridge Circular Pascal Lamb Geocache trail. BLAGDON Local History Group hosted an exhibition of finds made by detectorists Alan Betteridge and Mark Sheppard from around the village. They ranged from coins dating from Roman to more recent times, including gold and silver examples, lead weights used for weaving, fishing or dress hems and children's toys.

One of the organisers, Jacky Kerly, said: “There were buckles of every shape and size, keys, tools, heavy horse harness decorative brasses and cow horn knobs.

“It’s amazing what turns up in a field.”

The two men had the landowner’s permission to search and keep the locations secret to avoid trespassers.

Details: www.axbridgeheritagetrails.com • https://www.geocaching.com/play/search

Historic finds in Blagdon

Pictured (l to r) Mike Adams, Sheila Johnson, Alan Betteridge and Jacky Kerly