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.
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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.
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