Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2007 | Page 74

life GARDENING Now is a busy time for gardeners It’s two very busy months for gardeners, especially if you like to keep your garden looking tip top. So here is an essential guide for all those important jobs that need doing throughout August and September. FLOWER GARDEN August Watering container plants Ensure containerised plants especially evergreens never go short of water during the summer while they’re developing their flower buds for next spring’s display. A shortage of water now can lead to a case of bud drop next year for plants, such as camellias and rhododendrons. Pots that have dried out should be submerged in water and left to soak for a few hours, ideally in a bowl, bath or water-butt. Even if it rains, pots often remain dry as they stand in the rain shadow of a house and their foliage acts as an umbrella. Keep your containerised plants healthy with our tips for effective watering. Supporting plants Support the stems of tall perennials and lilies with bamboo canes and watch out for lily beetles and their larvae. Pick any off and destroy them immediately. 74 Deadheading Deadhead roses as the blooms fade, cutting off the flowers just above the uppermost leaf on the stem. Trim back lavender bushes after flowering to remove the old blooms and shoot tips. Take care not to cut back too heavily into any old wood. Removing faded flowers from perennials and annual plants will also ensure a continued display of blooms. Dried flowers Cut everlasting flowers, such as helichrysum and achillea, and grasses, such as pennisetum, when they are at their peak. Hang them upside down in a warm, airy position to dry naturally, ready for decorative arrangements. Prune wisteria Summer prune wisteria this month, shortening their long wispy sideshoots back to about five or six leaves from the main framework. If the plant’s flowering performance was poor last spring, drench the soil with a high-potash fertiliser for an improvement. Clematis Clematis thrive in fertile, welldrained soil in sun or partial shade, but ensure the roots and base of plants are in the shade to keep them healthy. Blackened shoot tips may indicate clematis wilt. Cut out affected stems, but leave the main pruning until late winter and early spring. Discover the best way to train clematis. September Add plants for autumn interest Create a striking feature in your borders by using some plants that look good during the autumn months. One of the best plants to choose is Sedum spectabile ‘Brilliant’ which produces masses of flat, bright pink flower-heads on upright stems with succulent, glaucous leaves. Grow sedums in full sun in a well-drained soil and divide every few years to improve flowering. Other plants which are also good at this time of year include ornamental grasses, heleniums and perennial asters, Michaelmas daisies. Plan for spring Plant up patio pots or borders with erysimum, more commonly known as wallflowers, for a cheery spring show. Although they can be grown on their own, try planting tall-growing tulip bulbs in a contrasting colour first and planting the wallflowers over the top. The tulips will then grow up through them to provide an extra layer of height and colour. Attend to bedding Give bedding displays, hanging baskets and pots a little attention to ensure their display lasts well into autumn. Pick over plants twice a week to remove any faded blooms, keep watering daily and control pests when you find them. Any tender plants you want to save for next year can also be potted this month, so they are established and ready to bring under cover when the weather turns cooler. Support perennials Put plant supports around tall, late-flowering perennials to prevent them from being damaged by autumn winds. Create your own plant support with our step-by-step guide to making a willow obelisk. Greenfly checks Look out for greenfly on winter-flowering pansies and other plants. Treat with a suitable insecticide. Island Life - www.islandlife.tv