Keep Blooming through the summer

Coping with the heat in summer, is one of the things that makes gardening really interesting and very rewarding.

BY SUE SARGEANT, PASSIONATE GARDENER, NOVICE WRITER

There’s no doubt that this year’s weather has posed a few challenges in the garden. Here in this part of France spring came early and gave an opportunity to sow seeds in mid-February, but a cold spell in March slowed the whole process down. A sharp frost in early May found us searching for fleece to protect our plants which, thankfully, all survived.

We send our congratulations to Sue for her Open Garden Day on 5 May which was a huge success and raised €600 for charity, despite the weather which was very cold for the time of year. Her garden is now open all year by appointment, for details go to www.opengardens.eu, reference 180326.

Deadheading will encourage new flowers

Flowers Galore

It is almost taken for granted that July and August are hot and dry so planting with this in mind is a must. Here are a few tips to give you the best chance of hanging onto your summer blooms. DEAD HEADING will extend the flowering period for most perennials, Roses and Geraniums. Also, cut back early flowering hardy Geraniums to encourage repeat flowering. Some shrubs can show signs of stress by WILTING, particularly if they have soft green leaves that have put on a lot of early spring growth. Reduce the size of the shrub by trimming some of the branches. This will improve the overall performance of the shrub in dry conditions. Apply a MULCH around the base of shrubs, either after watering or after rainfall. Try to avoid PLANTING shrubs in the summer months. It’s better to plant in spring and autumn when the roots will establish much better in cool, wet soil. Move CONTAINERS to a shady corner for respite from the sun and group together for watering, especially if you are away from home for a few days.

Move containers into the shade

Apply a mulch to maintain moisture

Thinking Ahead

Whilst enjoying your garden during the summer months it can be hard to become motivated to plan for next year, but this is a perfect time. Take a look around the garden and see what is looking good and working well for you. For instance, which shrubs should be moved because they have grown too tall? It’s time to divide the Iris if they have stopped flowering. (These should be divided every three years.) It’s also time to order spring flowering bulbs. Growers do run out of stock so place your order online for autumn delivery. l Bare root Roses are best planted in November and/ or December. However, it’s a good idea to see them in full bloom so visit gardens and nurseries during the summer to view them at their best. Many specialists will offer advice on the best Roses for our climate. I have found the paler shades more suitable for full sun and, after around three years of settling in, they are a great addition to the garden. l When thinking about planting for autumn colour, Nerines are a wonderful addition to the garden, either in containers or in the ground. Remember to leave the tip of the bulb slightly above the soil and plant in full sun. The perennial Asters and Sedum Autumn glory are another welcome arrival in the autumn garden. l Lagerstroemia trees are the most wonderful tree for the summer. Every year I plan to buy one but never seem to do it. The flowers are at their best in July and August but the bark is very tactile all year round. You

Perennial Asters brighten a corner

Plant Nerines now for Autumn colour

will see them in shades of pink, white and mauve in many public spaces in France. l Now is the time to collect seeds from Perennials such as Gaura, Sissirynchium and other varieties of summer flowering plants for next year. You can sow Gaura in summer and over-winter the seedlings for planting out in spring. l Make sure you have plenty of home-made compost for autumn by turning your heap and keeping it wet to ensure it’s ready for October mulching. l As the birds are no longer nesting, now is a good time to shape hedges, and let more light into established hedges to promote new growth.

Mid-summer flowering tree Lagerstroemia

Living with Nature

It’s no surprise that those who are keen gardeners like Sue also love wildlife. Here she highlights how gardens and wildlife (including pests) can live in harmony to create a perfect place where plants thrive and pests survive.

The challenge is not an species you could: easy one and there will l Leave some areas “au always need to be compronaturel” to allow wild mises. Here are some ideas flowers to flourish and Tel: +33 (0)5 58 97 71 03 to help meet the “visitors” insects to hide. Mobile: +33 (0)6 81 32 83 24 half way. l Plant flowers and shrubs First of all, fencing is a must that are particularly attracto keep the “bad guys” such tive to bees and butterflies as Sanglier (Wild Boar) and such as Echinacea, VerbeBlaireaux (Badgers) out of na Bonariensis, Cerinthea the garden. These animals Purpurea, Nicotiana Fragrant will certainly rotavate your Cloud and Viburnum Oculus, garden if left unchecked. Spirea and Pyracantha. Chevreuil (Deer), in particul Stagnant water is a lar, love to eat roses and perfect breeding ground for will make a meal out of your mosquitoes. Use a pump to vegetables. keep water flowing in ponds More welcome visitors might and fountains. be the birds and, the more l Log piles are ideal for trees there are in and around insects and other small the garden, the more birds animals to hibernate. Learn you will have. The trees to love insects by adopting a provide safe landing sites, companion planting scheme. protection from predators, l There will be more about and perfect nesting places. the scheme, together with The thrill of a garden full of avoiding problems associatwildlife is not to be missed ed with pests, diseases and and to extend the range of disorders, in the next issue.

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