Hannah’s horticulture

A cool end to spring/start to the summer has meant that the late spring-flowering shrubs and flowers have bloomed much later this year, about three weeks behind where they normally are. We seem to have turned the corner now, and have had some glorious days. There’s still lots to enjoy doing in the garden, but take care in the heat of the day now and in the sun, make sure you wear sun protection and keep hydrated now that summer is here.

Start deadheading flowers! As the summer plants begin to flower, particularly herbaceous, bedding plants and roses, regularly deadhead them to ensure you continue to get repeat and prolific flowering. You can also prune spring flowering shrubs now too if you haven’t already.

Camellias, rhododendrons (if they have finished flowering – they have been late this year due to the cold spring), azaleas, choisya, etc, all can be pruned this month rather than later to keep the shape and size but not damage next year’s flower buds. Don’t cut those hedges!

Please please reconsider cutting hedges at this time of year. The birds are still actively nesting and raising young, and you have a question for her, email:hannah.hobbschell@ outlook.com including a picture easily abandon nests and young if disturbed.

Nests which become exposed are also much more prone to predation and to colder winds and hot sun which could harm young birds.

If you absolutely must trim a hedge, it is an offence to intentionally disturb nests, and a check for nesting birds is strongly advised.

Unfortunately I have heard of an instance where, despite a thorough check, a nest was missed and sadly a chick suffered at the hands of the tools. Blackspot on roses

Keep an eye out for black spot on roses and remove damaged leaves as soon as possible. I have had success with a couple if products (no affiliation or commission paid!) – Uncle Toms Rose Tonic which if you buy from the Rose Society means they benefit from your purchase, and SB Plant Invigorator.

SB PI is based on natural soap based ingredients, and is an environmentally friendly and economical way of controlling a wide range of rose pest species including whitefly, aphid, spider mite, etc, by physical means. It is not absorbed by the plant nor a threat to bees unless sprayed on them directly. It also helps prevent powdery mildew and is a plant stimulant so will help plants to become resilient to attacks.

Uncle Toms is a foliar feed and root drench for resilient plants, and an environmentally friendly way to protect against black spot and mildew.

Finish cropping asparagus by the end of the month n On June 10 and 11, four gardens in Ferndown will be opening in aid of Ferndown Community Support. For a bargain £5 total per adult, you can come and see some stunning gardens.

Asparagus needs to be allowed to grow a few spears to enable it to re-feed itself ready for next year.

You can continue to crop rhubarb until end of July however so rhubarb crumble is still on the menu!

Keep ponds topped up Use rainwater ideally to top up ponds and water sources for wildlife and your fish if you have them.

Keeping the ponds topped up is essential for wildlife access and oxygen and heat management in the summer.

Whilst there, enjoy tea and cake, browse bric-a-brac, and be tempted by some plants to take away to your own garden with that loose change in your pockets! All in support of Ferndown Community Support, who run a variety of services and events in the East Dorset area, including the Community Larder and Food Bank+ .

With previous and current NGS gardens included, we hope this will become a ‘growing’ (sorry!) annual event.

You can start and finish at any garden, but tea, cake, and brica-brac is at 13 St Mary’s Road only.

Please consider walking if you can, and be considerate around parking. Do come along and support us, share the news, bring friends, and get some garden therapy!

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