With Chelsea flower show coming up, I am always reminded of the gulf between the idealised world of the show garden and the gardens that us mortals inhabit.
I don’t think it is just a question of money. The fact is that all the show garden plants are carefully managed to look their best, sometimes being held in cold storage and sometimes in warm hothouses. Countless hours are spent in the planning and execution of these gardens which are the shop window for sponsors, designers and nurseries.
There are ways however, to achieve something of the bountiful fulness of show gardens – and that is to do the basics well. These would be my observations:
I. Think of your garden as an orchestra – you want some clear themes, but the supporting instruments must be in harmony and supporting these themes.
II. Try to achieve a balance between “statement” plants like trees with bold shrubs, with the smaller plants.
III. Do your homework on what is happy in your soil and what isn’t.
IV. Don’t be afraid to pack the plants in. This in turn will keep the weeds down.
V. Don’t be afraid to take out unruly species – a good conductor wouldn’t!
VI. Don’t be “mean” with the size of your borders! Too much lawn with small beds against a house will never look generous. Tidy - but not generous!
VII. Regular cutting back and dead heading will can help maintain a sense of freshness.
VIII. Regular mulching and watering with give your garden a healthy glow.
Regular watering may be more important than usual if this present weather continues: be ready to pay extra attention to recently planted trees and shrubs.
This month’s tasks include:
• Summer bedding in pots, planters and hanging baskets can be planted out in milder areas: watch out for late frosts in more northern counties and frost pockets.
• In cutting back spring flowering shrubs, you still have to be wary of nesting birds: check the plant thoroughly, especially if they back onto a wall. These shrubs include Choisya, Ribes and Chaenomoles.
• Spirea ‘Arguta’ and Kerria japinca can have one stem in three removed and the other stems shortened to a suitable side shoot.
• Viburnum tinus, Senecio, Ligustrum and other similar evergreens can be trimmed this month.
• Clematis montana is a vigorous climber that often needs to be kept in check: you can be pretty brutal with this climber.
• Cut back Pyracantha to the desired size but remember that you may have to wait a couple of years for the berries to appear in winter if you cut them too hard.
• Climbing and rambling roses will produce more flowers if you are able to tie the side shoots as close to the horizontal plane as possible: this restricts the flow of sap.
• Lawns can be fed, and it is not too late to add fertiliser to plants, especially new or struggling ones that may need additional strength.
• Try to stay on top of the weeds by using a hoe or laying matting and mulch.
• Be careful not to over-water new plants in gardens with heavy, clayey soils: they will wilt and die as air cannot get to the roots.
• Daffodils and other early spring bulbs can be lifted and divided at the end of the month as can water lilies.
Most importantly, your garden, like a show garden, should be enjoyed. And you don’t just have one week to squeeze that one in!