I sometimes think that plants are like teenagers: at times you wonder if they are ever going to emerge and other times, they seem uncontrollable. Plants in June can be the latter.
They also get dehydrated without realising it and rapid action is needed!
The benefit of this abundant life is that gardens and borders can be packed with joyous colour and interest – even if a bit unruly. A parent once told me “You have to manage teenagers, not direct them”. And so it is with the garden. I’d add that training a garden is all part of the deal!
Jobs this month include:
• Mulch around the base of trees and shrubs if you haven’t done so already: this will help retain the moisture and keep the annual weeds at bay.
• Cut back early flowering perennials such as delphiniums, lupins and oriental poppies after their first flowering. This will give them a chance to flower again on the new growth.
• Cutting down the stems of the spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils.
• Cutting and clipping Privet, box and evergreen honeysuckle hedges (Lonicera nitida)
• Philadelphus, Kolkwitzia, Weigela and Deutzia can all be pruned after they have flowered. In doing so the new growth will have time to develop in order that they may flower the following year.
• Give Clematis montana a good hacking if needed when they are over (they can take it!) and tie in other climbers.
• Remove stems of any variegated plants that are reverting to their original colour or the whole plant will ‘revert’.
• Stake tall herbaceous plants: purpose made metal, or canes can be used but equally good are off cuts from beech or similar trees. They are less visible, look more natural and have an attractive shape.
• Give ailing plants a shot of liquid feed as that is the best way to give them a lift.
• Evergreens such as Viburnum tinus and Choisya can also be cut and shaped once they have flowered.
• Roses can be deadheaded to encourage repeat flowering when they fade. Do this by cutting just above the first leaf below the faded bloom.
Enjoy the garden – and the peace and quiet when you can get it! All that training of plants will pay off - I promise you!