Somerset Country Gardener July 2022

Somerset Issue No 192 JULY 2022 FREE

www.countrygardener.co.uk

HELLO sweet pea! ...a fl flo oral love affair which has been rekindled PLUS:

Gardening with less water Single roses Houseplants - your questions answered

July gardens open for the NGS Dawn chorus pleasures The end of the English lawn?

Gardening news and events throughout Somerset

Planting Outdoor Living Cafe www.fonthill-lakeside.com

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CUTTINGS

Gardeners cuttings

in Somerset

A LOOK AT NEWS, EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS IN YOUR AREA

University of Bristol Botanic Garden opens for the NGS in July There’s an opportunity to see the exciting range of plants at Bristol University’s award-winning Botanic Garden while helping raise funds for nursing and caring charities when the garden opens for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday, 17th July.

There are dramatic displays of Mediterranean flora, rare native, useful plants Bristol Botanic Garden including European and Chinese herbs, those that illustrate plant evolution, and glasshouses that are home to the giant Amazon waterlily, tropical fruit, medicinal plants, orchids, cacti and a unique sacred lotus collection.

The Botanic Garden will open from 10am until 4.30pm on Sunday 17th July. Admission is £7, children free. Refreshments are available, and visitors can bring their own picnics.

There’ a wheelchair-friendly primary route through the garden, including the glasshouses, and there are accessible WCs. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow from the Welcome Lodge, on request.

For other opening times and information phone on 0117 4282041, email botanic-gardens@bristol.acu.uk or visit the website at www.botanic-garden.bristol.ac.uk University of Bristol Botanic Garden, Stoke Park Road, Stoke Bishop, Bristol BS9 1JG

TO SEE MORE GARDENS TO VISIT IN JULY GO TO THE FEATURE STARTING ON PAGE 33

Yeo Valley garden is on a six and a half acre site

YEO VALLEY ORGANIC GARDEN A BIG HIT WITH VISITORS Yeo Valley’s Organic garden on a six and a half acre site near Blagdon is proving to be a huge hit for visitors this spring and early summer. The gardens which include ornamental and edible plants in a seasonal patchwork has been constantly evolving for than 18 years ago. The garden aims to demonstrate that it is possible to garden 100per-cent organically (it is certified by the Soil Association) and still retain a strong sense of design, colour and fun.

The whole garden puts nature first and aims to encourage biodiversity through providing habitats and careful planting schemes.

The centre piece is a purple glasshouse set within a formal design, framed by hedges and pleached Malus “Red Sentinel”. There are several formal spaces with defined colour schemes. The more informal parts of the garden retain their relaxed contemporary feel with perennial and annual wild-flower meadows, a birch grove and streamside garden.

Open every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday until 30th September. £6 for adults, £2 for two to16 years, under 2 two’s free. Booking is essential.

Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Holt Farms, Bath Road, BS40 7SQ

Spectacular sweet peas at Forde Abbey

varieties began in earnest during a busy spring. Although they will be in flower a week or two sooner as well as lasting a bit longer, the peak time is in July.

Forde Abbey, on the Somerset and Dorset borders, has in recent years been winning itself a reputation for some of the best sweet peas displays in the south west. Another season of displays starts on July 1st at 10.30am to 5pm and runs through to the end of the month.

Everyone at the Abbey and gardens is looking forward to a spectacular summer filled with fragrance and an explosion of colour. Bunches of cut flowers will be available at the Gift Shop.

The wigwams in the walled garden have all been spruced up and planting of carefully chosen

Forde Abbey House and Gardens, Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU

Taunton Flower show returns with safety measures in place

Taunton Flower Show plans to return to its former colourful glory

Taunton Flower Show which has been a regular feature of Taunton’s summer since 1831, returns to Vivary Park in the town on Friday, 5th and Saturday, 6th August.

The pandemic saw the 2020 event cancelled altogether, while last year a reduced event was staged on Castle Green.

Preparations are almost complete to hold the ‘Chelsea of the West’ in the town centre park for the first time since 2019.

Major changes this year to ensure everyone’s safety include indoor spaces limited where possible; cashless gates, so advance tickets should be purchased; no car parking at the show, so visitors are advised to use the town’s park and ride facility or pay and display car parks.

Details of the competition classes for 2022 and how to enter are in the competition booklet, which can be downloaded from the show website. www.countrygardener.co.uk

The committee is always looking to recruit volunteers to enable the show to happen - the team consists of around 350 helpers.

Roles range from selling tickets and programmes, stewarding, assisting in the competition marquee, stacking chairs and table and litter picking.

The centre piece of the show are the large competitive classes and floral classes marquees. The competitive classes are open to all and consist of approximately 250 different classes for amateur gardeners, crafters, floral artists and children.

Shows were first held in 1831 and in August 1866 a show was held in the grounds of a Mr Kinglake of Taunton and led, in the course of time, to the establishment of Vivary Park at top of the High Street.

Taunton Flower Show, Vivary Park, Upper High Street, Taunton TA1 3SX

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CUTTINGS

Plan to build community garden at Taunton train station

FREE GARDEN TOURS THROUGH AMERICAN MUSEUM GARDENS

An enthusiastic gardening employee at Taunton train station has started a new community project in a bid to make better use of space at the station as a garden project.

The proposed site for the garden is at the end of platform five, where currently there is a vacant outdoor space which is thought to have a lot of opportunity.

Paul Burch, an employee of Great Western Railway came up with the idea for the project after realising there was potential to use the derelict space.

“Everyone here at the station is fully behind this project, I realised there was an opportunity to do something with the space we have and so I suggested a community garden.

“It will be available for both staff and station users and GWR and Network Rail have approved the use of the space after a site inspection recently, so we have the go ahead.

“We want to give the people of Taunton another space for them to relax,” Paul said.

The current plan is that the garden will predominantly be made up of raised beds, with a gravel zen garden created at the front of the area.

He has now set up a group of the volunteers who have already come forward offering their help on this project and is looking to hold the first group meeting in the near future.

The group will help to build, develop and maintain the new garden.

If you are interested in the railway, interested in gardening or even wanting to assist in the community project, you can express your interest and contact Paul via his email at Paul.Burch@gwr.com

Free tours are still available through the gardens and grounds of the American Museum and Gardens located in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the hilltop site of the Museum’s home, Claverton Manor, with spectacular views over the Limpley Stoke Valley and River Avon.

Free tours available at American Museum Gardens Remnants of the old Italianate style manorial pleasure gardens and parkland, dating from the 1820s, can be seen within the grounds, including period features such as the grotto, the balustrade and curtain walling, as well as ornamental stonework. This work is attributed to George Vivian, son of the original owner of Claverton Manor, John Vivian.

It provides an opportunity to view the gardens through the eyes of knowledgeable garden guides.

Tickets are available from the ticket office on the day of visit with ten on each tour- lasting roughly 45 minutes. Email ticketoffice@americanmuseum.org or call 01225 460503.

Tours run at 11:30am and 2pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

American Museum & Gardens ,Claverton Manor, Claverton Down, Claverton, Bath BA2 7BD

BLUE SHED FLOWERS HOSTS FLORAL WORKSHOP There’s a summer workshop with Jan Boddington from Blue Shed Flowers near Wiveliscombe taking place at Hestercombe House and Gardens near Taunton on Sunday, July 3rd from 10am to 3pm.

With an emphasis on seasonality, sustainable floristry and incorporating wild and hedgerow elements, this workshop will inspire you to grow, forage, and arrange and generally get creative with flowers.

Jan will demonstrate her intuitive nature led approach to arranging flowers. She will go through the key design elements as well as foam free mechanics and ‘responsible’ foraging. You will be able to home your own arrangement of summer flowers. Participants will need to bring, secateurs, and a bowl or low vase of around 16 cm diameter. Cost £50 non-members / £40 members.

For more information visit www.hestercombe.com Hestercombe House & Gardens, Hestercombe, Taunton TA2 8LG

Gardening club events and meetings in Somerset June 21ST Barrington Gardening Club ‘ALL ABOUT ROSES’ - GOLD CLUB SPEAKER email: susan.scott0803@outlook.com

Open Garden at St Margaret’s Hospice in July

St Margaret’s Hospice garden in Yeovil

The tranquil garden at St Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil will be open on Sunday ,24th July, part of the summer programme of open gardens raising funds for St Margaret’s Hospice Care.

For more than 40 years St Margaret’s Hospice Care as a charity not part of the NHS has been helping patients, families and carers across Somerset facing a life limiting illness.

The spacious garden at the hospice in Little Tarrat Lane, Yeovil, will be open from 2pm until 5pm. Admission is £3. Refreshments will be available, also toilets and parking. Visitors can bring a picnic if they wish.

The garden is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs, and dogs are welcome on leads.

St Margaret’s Hospice Yeovil, Little Tarrat Lane, Yeovil BA20 2HU. Contact on 01823 333822 / 01935 709480 or visit the website at st-margarets-hospice.org.uk

July 6TH West Pennard Gardening Club FUCHSIAS’

13TH NAILSEA & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY ‘CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF TREES AND SHRUBS’ - DAVID USHER More details on 01275 855342

19TH Barrington Gardening Club ‘NO DIG GARDENING’ - CHARLES DOWDING email: susan.scott0803@outlook.com

26TH Chilcompton Gardening Club

PORTISHEAD PUTS ANOTHER CALL OUT FOR GARDEN VOLUNTEERS Portishead in Bloom organisers are again asking for more gardening volunteers to help the Somerset town prepare for its Britain in Bloom displays “There is a lot of work to be done to make sure the town is looking it’s best for the judging in July so we would love to see more volunteers at the numerous working parties being arranged over the coming months.” said a spokesperson. “There is no need to book just turn up and you will be made very welcome”.

Visit www.portisheadinbloom.org.uk

‘COMPANION PLANTING’ - GOLD CLUB SPEAKER Details on 01761 414714

‘Time Off’ set to return If your gardening club or association is back in full swing after the restrictions of the past couple of years be sure to let Country Gardener know.

Send your club meetings and details to timeoff@countrygardner.co.uk

Look out for the August issue of Country Gardener from Friday, 29th July onwards www.countrygardener.co.uk

5

The wonder of the DAWN CHORUS RICHARD WOOD SHARES AN EXPERIENCE HE NEVER THOUGHT HE WOULD HAVE – GETTING UP AT 4AM ON A MAY MORNING TO WANDER DOWN THE GARDEN AND LISTEN TO THAT MOST ACCESSIBLE OF WILDLIFE DRAMAS – THE DAWN CHORUS I would like to share something with your readers I never thought I would admit to – my love of the dawn chorus.

I experienced it a few weeks ago. It required a bit of a special effort getting up at 4am but it was quite wonderful and this early morning orchestra from the birds is a memorable thing – and it costs nothing.

I like many I suppose, get a bit annoyed about how noisy the birds are so early in the morning. I am a light sleeper and on spring and summer nights we have the bedroom windows open so there’s been quite a few times when the arrival of this dawn chorus has been annoying rather than enjoyable.

So, to start at the beginning, my wife and daughters seem to spend the gross national product of a small South American country on bird food.

Not just peanuts you understand but meal worms, fat balls and logs and amazingly on bird food which is specially formulated for certain varieties of birds.

So, for instance our larder has mixes specially formulated for robins, or sparrows!!

The result of all this is, surprise, surprise birds flock to our Somerset garden in huge numbers.

The word has been out for some time amongst the bird population that while other local gardens might offer tasty food, our garden has Michelin-star quality on offer.

So, if you add in the fact that in the early weeks of May it has been light at 4.30 am to 5am and our garden is full of noisy birds, you will start to get the drift of why it was on my mind.

The dawn chorus, that most romantic of themes was depriving me of sleep.

The dogs awake early and start scampering around from 5.30am onwards believing that the light mornings mean it should be time for food and play - and walks.

The standard reaction to all this is normally to roll over and try and get back to sleep with the birdsong a noticeable but annoying background.

I then read an article in a magazine on how it is becoming something of a trend for people to get up early and go out to gardens to listen to the bird song, in this case accompanied by an expert who can help identify which birds are singing and so on.

Coffee and breakfast afterwards, I assume.

I wasn’t ready for that degree of being organised but much to my surprise it did inspire me to get up one lovely sunny Saturday morning, get out in the garden and listen properly.

6

What was accepted as a crazy idea by the rest of the family turned out much, much better than I imagined.

Sunrise, was I think 4.45am so I set the alarm for just after 4am and it was still half-light when in my slippers and dressing gown I ventured out to sit down in the garden on the bench.

This all sounds like it’s not the easiest thing to do I know, but trust me I now understand what all the fuss is about.

The dawn chorus peaks half-an-hour before to half-an-hour after sunrise, but this didn’t really fit in with how long the birds started to sing.

It all started with a single bird, maybe a blackbird, I’m not sure. But it was a sound of wonderful early morning clarity, and the impact was that it seemed the signal for others to join in. At that time in the morning it is so peaceful it doesn’t take a lot for birdsong to dominate the garden.

The variety of song can prove too confusing at that time, and it was rather like the arrival of different performers as each takes their turn on stage.

To listen to the first birds start slowly to wake up and start singing is eerie but then inspiring as more bird species throw their energy into an uplifting wildlife phenomena. There are two purposes to birdsong: as I now know – to attract a mate, and to hold down a territory.

Spring’s increasing day length triggers a hormonal change in birds that enlarges the parts of the brain controlling song production. The result is this most accessible wildlife dramas – the dawn chorus.

Morning is when females are most receptive to fertilisation after producing an egg and males sing to proclaim their territory and defend their paternity rights.

Traditionally, ornithologists and naturalists thought that it was just the male birds that could sing, with females only able to call. However, it seems recent research shows that females do sing – but since it’s usually less often and quieter, it’s much easier to miss their song.

I wasn’t very good at identifying the different species – that wasn’t the point of the exercise. I could tell even with an untrained ear that there were at least half a dozen different ‘songs’.

The performance lasted about 45 minutes and ended as abruptly as it started as if there was a conductor out there saying it was the end of the session.

It was light by now with the sun starting to appear.

It was a lonely yet lovely experience which I would never have thought possible.

The secret is being out there in the garden having a ringside seat.

As we plunge into mid-June the chorus has gone for another year but trust me make a date next year to sacrifice getting up early just once to hear this performance.

Country Gardener

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Advance Tickets: Adults £7.50, Weekend Tickets £11.00 Children under 17 Free www.portisheadsummershow.com

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7

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US AT COUNTRY GARDENER MAGAZINE SELLING ADVERTISEMENTS? Landscape design Bespoke landscapes constructed Fencing and paving Grass cutting, fine turf and field Remote controlled bank and slope grass cutting Invasive weed control Paddock and pasture weed control Tree surgery

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The job is home based and we are looking for someone to work a minimum of 30 hours a week.

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GARDEN WITH LESS WATER

It may not always seem so, but water is a limited and precious resource.

It also happens to be the source of life in our gardens. During the spring and summer months over 70 per cent of our total use of household water is in the garden.

So, is it fair to say that gardeners are being extravagant when it comes to water use, using large volumes of water at the worst possible time? According to the Met Office, climate change will mean that we will have milder, wetter winters and hotter, drier summers, often with longer periods of drought. The South West could well be the hottest and driest region in the country so using more water will have a knock-on effect longer term on high density areas like cities and water shortages.

The good news in all this remains that gardeners can do something about it.

Being a bit cleverer in the way we use water in the garden will have tremendous long term effects . It also significantly saves money as for those whose water is supplied through a meter have a huge personal incentives to reduce tap water as it saves money.

Here are some ways to minimise your use of water in the garden.

LOOK AFTER YOUR SOIL The most valuable natural resource in any garden is water. It is a limited commodity, so gardeners should understand the needs of plants and take steps to reduce water loss from them and from the soil to garden successfully with less water.

Sedum’s leaves prevent water loss

Verbascum

Adding organic matter to the soil improves its structure, which helps it to retain moisture and later on in the growing process less water will be needed.

Mulching flowerbeds, and around the base of shrubs and trees in spring, prevents moisture from evaporating during dry spells.

Mulching the surface of hanging baskets traps moisture.

Add water-retentive granules or gel to compost, or use compost with them already mixed in, to use in hanging baskets and containers.

WATER AT THE RIGHT TIME Far too many of us over water our gardens.

In summer it becomes almost a daily routine -whether the garden needs it or not.

So, the first thing to do is to move to a routine where you check whether the garden does in fact need watering. Look at the soil about a spade-deep down. If it’s damp, it’s fine; if it’s dry, it’s time to water.

If you have clay soil, it might feel damp whether it’s irrigated or not and sandy soil can feel dry, even if it has water in it. If this is the case, watch your plants and when they start to show signs of water stress – when leaves change position or get darker – note how the soil looks and feels. This way you can get more of an idea of what your soil is like when it has too little water.

According to the now widespread research, the optimal watering time for the garden, is early morning before the temperatures begin to rise, winds are lower and there is less evaporation. Morning watering gives the plants a good supply of water to face the heat of the day. Create a ‘reservoir’ or depression in the ground around the plant, to prevent the water from running away. It is better to give plants a good soaking than to water little and often.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLANTS Plants that grow in Mediterranean areas have developed distinctive types of foliage and storage systems, to minimise water loss or store water in periods of drought.

Hairy leaves (such as those on verbascums and phlomis) help reduce the drying effect of the wind and will reflect the sun’s rays. Plants with leathery or waxy leaves (such as Bergenia and Sedum) help prevent water loss and evaporation by the wind; they are usually grey in colour, which will reflect the glare of the sun.

A waxy or glaucous coating helps seal in moisture. Grasses and conifers have thin, needle-like leaves that lose very little water. The small surface area of their leaves prevents excess water loss through evaporation and some will roll their leaves inwards, reducing the surface even more.

COLLECT RAIN WATER AND REUSE OLD WATER

BE SPECIFIC ABOUT WATERING TECHNIQUES FOR YOUR PLANTS

Most local authorities in the South and South West are all behind encouraging gardeners to collect more rain water. It takes the form of subsidies and special deals for cheaper water bitts, some made from recycled material.

They probably appreciate that this falls into the category of ‘could do better’ for many gardeners.

You should be able to collect 24,000 litres (5,280 gallons or 150 water butts) of rainwater from your roof each year.

Obviously, not many people can store that much water, but if every household in the country collected even just one water butt’s worth of water a year (160 litres), that’s four billion litres of free water that we all could be using on our gardens.

Watering techniques are important. Sprinklers are a huge waste of water. They don’t target plants and you end up wasting most of the water.

Compare that with a single watering can when you can get close to the roots and aim the water where it is needed most. It may be more labour intensive but it’s more precise to use to water around plant bases beneath the leaves, and leave the surrounding soil dry. This limits weed growth and means all the water goes where it is needed.

…AND NEVER WATER YOUR LAWN! It’s been long established that there is little point in watering your lawn, be it from seed, or an established lawn.

You would have to leave a high-volume sprinkler on, almost 24 hours a day, to replicate the same volume of water that enters the ground during a rain shower.

Such a shower will cover a large area, not just your lawn.

This means that the soil retains its moisture for longer, because it does not evaporate or seep away into other dry areas. www.countrygardener.co.uk

Target your watering more precisely 9

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10

Country Gardener

Sweet, sweet peas!

If you’re going to grow one plant for picking, or one family, it probably will be sweet peas, the most luscious, lovely, scented, pretty, easy, quintessentially British cut flower says long term grower Pam Davies

Our love affair with the sweet pea goes on.

There isn’t a simple reason for this.

It is somehow tied in with our love of cut flowers and how well they perform in displays.

It is also something to do with the options when it comes to colours as the flowers come in almost every shade imaginable of white, pink, coral, red, violet and blue, some combining two colours. Pastel shades are especially popular and petal edges may be wavy or outlined with a contrasting colour (picotee).

Leaves formed of two leaflets Traditional and colourful sweet pea cut flowers combine with tendrils on winged stems.

So the reason for the love affair is traditional and its combined with the fact they are easy to grow and come in so, so many varieties Sweet peas are generally climbing to two metres but some are short and bushy to 45 cms.

Formally ,the sweet pea (Latin name Lathyrus odoratus), is a climbing annual or perennial member of the legume genus. Originating in the southwest of Italy and the islands of the Mediterranean, sweet peas have been cultivated for use in our gardens since the 17th

Sweet peas Q&A My sweet pea flowers are not blooming-why?

There are several reasons why this happens. Are your sweet peas getting enough light-the more light the plants have, the better they flower? Day length isn’t critical but bear in mind that they may not do their absolute best without long days. Are you fertilizing them right? All they really need is a little compost, and they won’t even need that if you’re growing them in rich soil. If they get too much nitrogen, they produce lush green foliage at the expense of flowers.?

Blossoms should be plucked off as soon as they fade to keep the plant from forming a seed pod. Flowering slows and might even stop if the plants form pods.

What month do you plant sweet peas?

Sow sweet pea seeds between October and April. For best results aim for late October/November or late

century. They reached modern forms under the work of Scottish nurseryman Henry Eckford, who developed dozens of cultivars during the late 1800s.

The flowers resemble fringed butterflies, while their stems appear to be folded. Luckily, the stems are sturdy enough to hold up their profuse blooms.

The old-fashioned varieties were selected for their vibrant colours and intense fragrance.

Many modern cultivars are on the market offering sweet peas in almost every colour except yellow, but not all the newer sweet pea varieties are fragrant.

The mature size will depend on the variety you choose to grow but expect the vines to stretch to at least six to eight feet tall.

Sweet peas are happiest with their heads in the sun and their roots deep in cool, moist soil.

When possible, plant low-growing annuals in front of them to shade their roots. Choose a well-drained site. Alkaline soil is best; sprinkle some powdered lime on the surface if your soil tends to be acidic.

Sweet peas begin to produce flowers 90 days after planting seeds, depending on the species and cultivar.

Many gardeners who grow sweet peas struggle to get the length of stem to make them ideal for cut flower arrangements. To get ideal long stems remove the side shoots then pick the strongest stem and concentrate on this. As side shoots develop, they spread the energy, which may result in shorter stems and a smaller number of flowers. Having planted the sweet peas out in late April / May they will start flowering in late May / early June.

If you find yourself with leggy growth, nip out the top two leaves when you have four or more true leaves, to encourage bushy growth. When the risk of frost has passed, they’re ready to plant out: a sunny day in late March is ideal.

February/March as temperatures and light levels are less than ideal in midwinter. Sweet peas can also be sown direct into the ground in April or May and even June as they will take between 70 and 90 days to flower.

Do sweet peas need sun or shade?

Make sure you plant the sweet peas outside after the last frost date. Choose a spot in full sun or very light dappled shade with rich, well-drained soil. Add plenty of organic matter in the weeks before you plant the seedlings out.

Plant the seedlings about 20cm apart and water in.

How often do you water sweet peas?

Sweet peas rarely need watering more than once a week, but you need to maintain even moisture throughout the growing season. They do not like hot weather, so water them regularly in the summer, but do it early in the day to prevent buds from dropping, yielding and fewer flowers, and to prevent plants from scorching. www.countrygardener.co.uk

What should you do if your sweet peas grow tall but don’t flower?

If your plants aren’t flowering, it could be that they are not getting enough light (they need a minimum of eight hours a day. If the area where they are planted is too shady, you would do well to move them to somewhere sunny – but make sure you choose a coolish day and water them in well to help them settle.

How do you produce flowers with long stems suitable for using as cut flowers?

The choice of variety can to a certain extent dictate the length of stem – for example, the Spencer varieties are naturally longer stemmed. But the other major factor in achieving long stems is to take off the tendrils to avoid them tangling and giving you bendy, twisted short stems.

11

Sweet peas do occasionally get problems, but fortunately few are very serious:

How to get the best of sweet pea displays Depending on the type of sweet peas you are growing and how vigorous the plants are you will inevitably be dealing with different stem lengths. Spencer hybrids and modern grandifloras tend to have long straight stems while old fashioned types are usually short and tend not to be straight. But it doesn’t matter which you’ve got as there are stylish ways to arrange them all.

• A grey leaf covering on leaves is caused by powdery mildew, made worse by drought or insufficient watering • Aphids will suck sap, particularly around the shoot and flower tips • Slugs and snails find young plants very attractive • Drought and temperature stress causes scorched foliage and bud drop.

Always harden off indoor raised plants before planting out. Water during dry weather and avoid getting the foliage and blossom wet.

• Dense clusters of distorted leafy shoots, often close to ground level, are leafy gall.

When to cut When it comes to cutting them, the best time of day is first thing in the morning, or early evening, when the plants are least likely to be stressed and dehydrated. Pick stems when the lower three flowers are fully open, but the top flower is only just unfurling.

Sweet peas in hanging baskets If you have limited space in the garden, flowering sweet peas look fantastic tumbling out of hanging baskets.

There are so many advantages to growing sweet peas in a hanging basket. You first must choose the right basket.

The soil might be the most important thing you want to keep in mind in case of hanging baskets. Sweet peas can grow their roots deep in soil when put on normal grounds or a garden. It is necessary to take the necessary nutrients from deep soils.

But in the case of hanging baskets, the roots cannot go deep. So, putting the topsoil of the garden or any ground is going to harm the plant.

Sweet peas have benefitted hugely by breakthroughs in breeding where the emphasis has been on manipulating plant height, flower size, scent and colour. As a result of all this there are five main groups of sweet peas.

• WILD TYPES -a great example of this is sweet pea ‘Cupani’ brought to the UK in the late 1600’s by the monk Cupani, they have delicate flowers with simple colours and a strong scent.

• GRANDIFLORA – these heirloom varieties were developed in the 19th century to keep the scent of wild types but with an increased flower size. A good example of this type is ‘Fragrant Boundary’.

• MODERN GRANDIFLORAS – this group has large flowers, long stems and a powerful scent.

• SPENCER TYPES – frilly and brightly coloured, these showy sweet peas are available in lots of bright colours. Popular for showing at exhibitions.

And with flower arrangers.

• DWARF TYPES – these are bred specially for a compact form. Best for container planting, they have showy flowers with generally good scent.

Sweet peas in containers When growing sweet peas in containers, the main concern is giving them something to climb. Sweet peas are vining plants, and they’ll need something tall to support them as they grow.

Sweet peas can handle some spring frost, but since you’re planting in containers, you can start them inside without fear, even if there’s still snow on the ground.

Care for your container grown sweet peas will be much the same as for those grown in the ground with exception to watering.

As with anything grown in containers, they are subject to drying out faster and, therefore, require more watering, especially in hot, dry conditions.

Did you know?

When growing sweet peas for the vase or to show tendrils are pinched out and the single plant stem (cordon) tied to a cane or similar support. This concentrates the plant’s energies and makes for bigger flowers on long stalks.

My few choices from the many available Any choice of sweet peas is very personal, but these are mine, chosen for obviously colour but also with a nod to scent and history!

• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Three times as sweet’ is the product of cutting edge breeding by expert Charles Valin. This is the first cultivated, modern grandiflora tri-colour stripe variety. Distinct fragrance and marbled blooms make this a perfect cut flower.

• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Fragrant Tumbler’ produces a sprawling mass of colour. This dwarf variety doesn’t require support; it reaches a maximum height of 1m and will happily tumble out of containers and across beds. The prolific flowers are large, with picotee detail on the petals and a gorgeous scent.

• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’ dates from 1731 and is a famous pink and white bi colour which is very early flowering.

• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Matucana’ has two-tone dark pink and purple flowers and one of the strongest scents of any sweet pea avaialble • Lathyrus odoratus ‘Erewhon’ blooms in delicate shades of pale blue and mauve-pink with a heady fragrance which lasts long and is a fast grower.

• Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lord Nelson’ has smaller flowers but highly scented and more of them per stem, in deep navy-blue to purple • Lathyrus odoratus ‘King Edward II’ is an old variety of annual sweet pea with deep reddish-pink flowers.

• Lathyrus latifolius ‘White Pearl’ is a hardy perennial sweet pea with all white flowers. It has no scent but comes back reliably every year and flowers into autumn and I have even seen it flowering into late October.

12

Country Gardener

Clockwise from top left: Lathyrus odoratus ‘Painted Lady’; Lathyrus odoratus ‘Lord Nelson’; Lathyrus odoratus ‘Erewhon’

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13

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Garden advice July Wireworms and other pests are high on the list of readers queries this month. If you have a problem, and would like some help and advice write to us at Country Gardener, Mount House, Halse, Taunton Somerset TA4 3AD or email editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

How do I tackle wireworms in my garden? They have been doing terrible damage particularly to my potato crop and I fear the worst this year.

ElinaSohal Exeter The last couple of years have seen more gardeners complaining about wireworms. Wireworms are the long, wire-like larvae of the click beetle, which got its name from the audible click it makes when, after being turned on its back, it swiftly flips back into the right position.

If you detect wireworm damage in your garden, you’ve already had wireworms in the soil for several years.

Wireworms have a particularly extended lifecycle from two to three up to six years, a good part of which the larvae spend feeding on plant stems and boring into stems, roots, and tubers. Getting rid of wireworms as soon as you detect them is key to prevent damage not only this season but also in future gardening years.

Potatoes will appear unaffected until the time comes to dig up your crop. Each affected tuber will have several small holes in them. The holes will have a black edge with a slightly larger brown ring around the edge. You may or may not find signs of the wireworms themselves still present. The damage caused by the pest will have damaged the potato and may make other diseases more likely, causing the potato tuber to rot. The longer the potatoes are left in the ground the more extensive will be the damage. The crop can still be eaten but cutting around the damage is likely to be a very tedious process and not worth the effort.

There are no chemical treatments available to gardeners which will kill wireworms at any stage of their lifecycle so dealing with them is a longer-term issue. Wireworm larvae will be eaten by birds, especially when other sources of food are not available. Digging the soil to a depth of one foot in autumn after the crops have been harvested will bring many of the larvae to the surface where the birds can see them.

Many of the larvae will also be killed by digging because they thrive best several centimetres below the soil surface.

Can I prune the Christmas tree that I put out in the garden?

Lorraine Woolridge

via email It is very difficult to restrict the tree’s growth without losing its shape. Also, you will not be able to keep it small for very long as they are very fast growing. It might be better to abandon any thoughts about bringing it back inside this Christmas and just find a spot for it where it has plenty of room to grow and flourish.

Why is my mophead hydrangea not flowering?

Maggie Greene Dorchester This is often down to poor pruning or growing conditions, Mophead hydrangeas need dabbled sunshine and moist soil and protection from scorching sun and cold winds. So, getting it right isn’t easy. Leave the old flowerheads in place over winter then cut back to the strongest pair of buds just below after all the danger of frost has gone. Then at the same time cut out two of three of the oldest stems at the base to encourage new flowering. Don’t cut the plant down to ground level or you well may well miss a flowering season.

And avoid nitrogen rich fertilisers which encourage lush growth at the expense of flowers.

Can I reuse old potting compost? I have a lot in my greenhouse and don’t want to waste it unless I must?

Will Collins Bath The answer is almost certainly no you can’t use it again. Don’t use it in pots because all the goodness and energy and nutrients will be long gone. You might try and use it if you have to on an old border where it can be mixed in with better soil but there are very few ways which this is a good idea.

How should we reduce our huge privet hedge which is in danger of taking over the garden?

Andrew Toms Bideford Privet hedges can be reduced quite drastically and still leave plenty of growth to get a lower level and healthy hedge.

The reduction in the height is achieved by cutting back the hedges to the height you want and then cutting back by a further 150 mm -this is to allow for new growth.

To reduce the width prune back one side at a time allowing that side to recover before pruning back the other side of the hedge. The privet can be cut back to the original central stems and will produce new growth from dormant buds in the stem to form a new hedge on that side. It is important once the hedge is cut back to water it well through the summer months and feed it with a standard garden feed to speed up the recovery.

14

Why are my courgette fruits ending up in the early season oddly shaped or deformed?

Charlie Harris Bristol This is a common occurrence and is due to fruits which have grown but which are thinning and rotting from the flowering end. It might be that your plants were kept in smaller pots for too long and this restricted their growth burst. Then once they have been planted out, they may not have enough roots to support normal development Cool nights and irregular watering could have the same effect. So, if there’s a lesson to learn here it is to take care to plant out young courgettes before they get rootbound in their pots or you could try and grow them from seed directly into the soil.

Country Gardener

I was given a large potted olive tree as a present and ever since I have been struggling to have it looking healthy. I don’t want to give up on it.

Fay Clarkson Angmering Olives are drought tolerant but if you have one in a pot then it will need regular watering to look and stay its best. So, give the compost a good soak when the surface dries out. Olive trees also respond to a regular monthly general purpose liquid feed or a slow-release fertiliser. In the winter months an unheated greenhouse is probably the best place to keep it. If the plant does stay outside insulate the pot sides with bubblewrap.

The self-seeding floxgloves which have been so wonderful in the garden have disappeared . What has happened?

Hanna Grisham Portsmouth Remember that foxgloves are biennial so in the first year you need to leave the tiny rosettes to fill out and then they will flower the next. If you are too tidy when you weed you may have destroyed the rosettes which may be the cause of the problem. You could buy some new plants which will then re-seed this year and next and then you should have a constant flow of self-seeding flowers again.

My compost seems to have attracted large numbers of slow worms this year. Will they do any damage?

Mark Winshaw Petersfield The best thing to do is to leave these wonderful creatures to enjoy your compost bin. They are the friends of gardeners as they eat all manner of pests and will not harm your compost bin in the least.

GARDENING

terms

EXPLAINED

Award Of Garden Merit AGM is often seen after a plant’s description - but what does it mean?

We are about to move into a garden which has clay soil and is in a real state and hasn’t been tended for years. It is now June so should I abandon any thoughts of being able to grow anything this year and concentrate on next year?

Peter Kype Kyp Wells Amending clay soil isn’t an easy task, nor is it quick. It may take several years before your garden’s soil has overcome its issues with clay, but the result is well worth the wait.

Adding organic material to your clay soil will go a long way towards improving it. While there are a great many organic soil amendments, for improving clay soil, you need to use compost or materials that compost quickly.

Materials that compost quickly include well-rotted manure, leaf mold, and green plants. In the first season or two after adding organic material to the soil but take care when watering. The heavy, slower draining soil surrounding your flower or vegetable bed will act like a bowl and water could build up in the bed.

Cover areas of clay soil with slower composting materials such as bark, sawdust, or ground wood chips. Use these organic materials for mulch, and, as they break down, they will work themselves into the soil below.

Working these larger and slower composting materials into the soil itself could cause harm to the plants you plan to grow in that space. You are better off just letting them work in naturally over a long period of time.

Any gardeners with clay soil get frustrated by its extremes – sticky and wet in winter and dry and cracked in summer but this is no reason to give up on gardening or suffer with plants that never reach their full potential.

My cucumber has lots of flowers but only one fruit. Is there anything I can do to reverse this trend?

Kate Porter Painswick Male flowers don’t have small cucumbers forming behind them but females do. If there is a big swing in temperatures, then flowers will not set but again inconsistent watering might be an issue. Poor and heavy watering promotes more male than female flowers and so there is less fruit is formed.

Why are my sweet peas flowering so poorly this summer - there are plenty of leaves and growth?

Vera Thomas via email There are several issues here. But it may just be a simple issue of providing more water for them to set flowers. The other issue could be overcrowding. A 50cms x 24 cms pot for example should have no more than five plants so each one gets the chance to fully develop- and flower. Then there is the feeding issue. Sweet peas are leguminous so in theory do not need extra nitrogen which promotes growth and flowers.

The best way to get your sweet peas back into full flower is to give them a high potassium feed such as ground rock potash, wood ashes or tomato feed.

See our Sweet Pea Q&A on page 11.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

The RHS Award of Garden Merit exists to help gardeners choose the best all round garden value varieties. It is an award which indicates the plant is recommended by the society and plants of all kinds can be considered, including fruit and vegetables.

It is intended as a practical guide and is awarded only after a period of assessment by the RHS Standing and Joint Committees.

The AGM is awarded only to plants that are: • excellent for ordinary use in appropriate conditions • available • of good constitution • essentially stable in form and colour •

reasonably resistant to pests and diseases

A full list of AGM plants can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/agmplants The award began in 1922, and recommendations are made annually after plant trials under UK growing conditions. Trials may last for one or more years, depending on the type of plant, and are mostly awarded at RHS Wisley after observation of plants in specialist collections.

Awards are reviewed annually in case plants have become unavailable horticulturally or have been superseded by better cultivars.

The award was reviewed in 1992 to increase its usefulness and prestige. Field trials on many plants were reviewed in the light of more recent experience. The AGMs were to be reviewed at ten-year intervals from 1992, but this frequency has been increased to annually. The 2012/13 review, with advice from experts such as the Royal Horticultural Society’s plant committees and specialist societies meant 1,900 plants lost their merit awards and more than 1,400 plants gained awards; the list included 7,073 plants after the review.

France has similar awards called the Mérites de Courson, drawn from a limited number of plants submitted by nurserymen to juries at the twiceyearly Journées des Plantes de Courson and are based solely on the opinions of the jury members as to how the plants might perform, rather than on extensive trials.

15

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

PREPARE FOR SENSATIONAL

july days out

If you are looking for a gardening day out or a longer gardening themed break over the next few weeks then the south west is a dream come true.

It offers so many opportunities at a time of the year when garden lovers look forward to getting out and about and indulging their passion.

Private gardens will be at their best as June moves into July with many roses in full glory and colourful borders galore tempting garden lovers. The list of things to do probably reaches its peak over the next few weeks with gardens open, village fetes and fairs, plant shows, county shows and plant sales.

We have again rounded up some ideas of places to visit, things to do, events to take part in so you can make the most of what promises to be a sensational July.

HONITON SHOW GETS READY TO CELEBRATE RURAL LIFE IN STYLE Honiton Agricultural Show is planning a great celebration of rural life in East Devon on Thursday 4th August with an array of fantastic entertainment lined up for visitors. The Bolddog Lings FMX Stunt Team - Honda’s official and the UK’s number one motorcycle display team, will be performing breath taking tricks flying 35ft in the air!

Viperaerobatics will perform a flying display in an iconic Pitts 2SB Biplane. The Shetland Performance Pony Display Team will provide mini–Gold Cup races raising funds for Bristol’s Children Hospital. The show welcomes the Devon & Somerset Pony Club for the first time who will run a demonstration competition between local pony club branches.

The lower field incorporates the rural theme with hurdle making, thatching, Cob block and hedge laying demonstrations or visitors can take a trip down memory lane with over 100 vintage tractors and over 50 classic cars. The show also hosts the West of England Hound Show and there will be a fun dog show with classes for pedigree or pet pooches.

At the heart of the show is the livestock and horses including the heavy horses and a variety of sheep breeds and dairy and beef cattle.

For further details on the show or information on becoming a member of the association contact the secretary on 01404 41794, follow the show on twitter @honitonshow1890. The show runs from 8am to 6pm. Discounted ‘Early Bird’ tickets are available at £17.50: accompanied children under 16 enter free!

Visit www.honitonshow.co.uk

Kitchen garden provides wow factor at Hartland Abbey Sir Tim Smit will open ‘Connectivity’ sculpture exhibition

Stone Lane gardens gets ready for busy summer

Glorious Stone Lane Gardens is busy in the summer months with some exciting events. Sir Tim Smit, known for the Eden Project and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, will open the annual sculpture exhibition at Stone Lane Gardens on Friday, 1st July at 3pm. This year’s show includes the work of artists mainly from the Southwest working to the theme of ‘Connectivity’. Sir Tim will also present the Ashburner Prize of £1000 for sculpture.

In August, popular touring company Three Inch Fools will return to the Gardens performing Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’ on Wednesday, 24th August. This will be an outdoor performance in the wildflower meadow, where a new arboretum is being established. Tickets are on sale at all prices via the website www.stonelanegardens.com Stone Lane Gardens is an RHS Partner Garden and is open to visitors every day all year, 10am till 6pm.

July is time for the annuals in the Kitchen Garden at Hartland Abbey to start showing off and should be a wow for visitors as they enter through the garden door! Roses and tender plants will be scenting the air in the Walled Gardens making them a lovely place to relax on a summer’s day. Woodland walks lead to the rocky cove at Blackpool Mill where great views open to the Atlantic Ocean and Lundy Island.

The main reception rooms in the Abbey are closed for filming from June 20th until July 15th but all exhibitions including the film exhibition, early documents and the Stonehenge display amongst much else will be open as usual to visitors with their ‘gardens and grounds’ tickets. The Tea Room will be serving their delicious homemade fare. Young ‘Malory Towers’ fans will enjoy seeking out the many locations in the Abbey grounds!

Hartland Abbey and Gardens, Hartland, Nr. Bideford EX39 6DT www.hartlandabbey.com 01237441496/234

BOSGREGE - A REAL TASTE OF CORNWALL

Boscrege Caravan and Touring Park in Cornwall is a peaceful and picturesque park, set at the foot of Tregonning Hill, Godolphin National Trust and amongst a myriad of Cornish lanes in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The park, open all year through, is situated close to the wonderful Cornwall coast and only a few minutes’ drive to Praa Sands, one of Britain’s best beaches. St Ives, Penzance, Hayle, Lands’ End, The Lizard Peninsular, Helston and Stone Lane Gardens, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8JU Falmouth and many other Cornwall attractions and beaches are very easily visited from the central location in West Cornwall. And new this year, an exciting development of single/twin lodges available You can visit the gardens on weekends throughout the to buy with a 20-year site licence and two years free site fees. You can stay for two summer to enjoy the tearooms overlooking the gardens nights free, available for genuine buyers. serving artisan cakes and refreshments. Or visit during the week and explore the dedicated visitor interpretation room Boscrege Caravan Park, Boscrege, Hill Close Gardens are gearing up for a busy summer. On Ashton, Cornwall TR13 9TG or the museum to find out the fascinating history of these Saturday, 16th July the gardens are holding their annual ‘Art Tel: 01736 762231 unique gardens. in the Gardens’ event hosting many arts and crafts around the www.caravanparkcornwall.com Hill Close Gardens Bread and Meat Close, gardens. This year they have an opening exhibition for the Warwick CV34 6HF www.hillclosegardens.com resident artist Caitriona Dunnett as part of Culture Fest 2022.

Hill Close getting ready for a busy summer for visitors

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Country Gardener

Hartland Abbey & Gardens

Enjoy lazy days of high summer in these romantic gardens and walks Visit our family home with its beautiful Walled and Woodland gardens, Fernery and Bog garden, walks to the Atlantic Coast, fascinating architecture, collections, displays and film exhibition. Location for Enid Blyton’s ‘Malory Towers’. * Dogs welcome * Holiday Cottages * * Homemade light lunches & cream teas * * Hartland Quay 1 mile *

Tea Room & Walled Garden Nursery

WELL BEHAVED DOGS ON LEADS WELCOME

Sunday to Thursday until 3rd October 11am - 5pm (House 2pm - 5pm last adm. 4pm) (NB main reception rooms only will be closed for filming 20th June - 15th July)

For more information and events see www.hartlandabbey.com Hartland, Nr. Bideford EX39 6DT 01237441496/234

Nestled in the heart of North Devon, Marwood Hill Garden is a hidden gem

Honiton Agricultural Show

Home to four National Plant Heritage collections, this private valley garden spans over 20-acres and showcases three stunning lakes, rare trees & shrubs, and colourful surprises throughout each season. Not only a haven for wildlife, the garden is also the perfect environment to explore and be inspired.

We look forward to welcoming you on Thursday 4th August 2022

Enjoy a day of inspirational and relaxation for the whole family.

Catch up over coffee and homemade cake or a cream tea in the picturesque Garden Tea Room or take a bit of Marwood magic home with you from our Walled Garden Nursery and Plant Sales.

Acts Booked So Far... Viper Aerobatics Display, Bolddog "Lings" Freestyle Team, Bob Hogg's Sheepdog Display, Twistopher Punch & Judy, The Shetland Pony Performance Display Team, Livestock, Horses, Vintage Tractors & Classic Cars. Over 400 Trade Stands. Fabulous food and entertainment. Equine & Livestock Schedules Available Now. TICKETS JUST £17.50 (ACCOMPANIED UNDER 16 GO FREE) AVAILABLE FROM

www.honitonshow.co.uk

Secretary: Marcelle Connor, Bank House, 66a High Street, Honiton, Devon, EX14 1PS info@honitonshow.co.uk

Enquiries & Tea Room 01271 342528 Plant Sales & Nursery 01271 342577 e info@marwoodhillgarden.co.uk w marwoodhillgarden.co.uk Marwood Hill Gardens, Marwood, Barnstaple, Devon EX31 4EA

Summer blooms made at Tyntesfield From the first flush of roses in June to colourful terrace planting that peaks in high summer, it’s full-blown flower time at Tyntesfield.

On sultry summer days, tree canopies in the arboretum provide visitors with welcome shade and vast lawns are perfect for picnics.

Find us on the B3128 just two miles out of Bristol.

Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white.

These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield

For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

© National Trust 2022. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Anna Kilcooley

www.countrygardener.co.uk

17

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

July and astilbes go hand in hand at Marwood Hill July is all about the astilbes at Marwood Hill Garden in north Devon. A short walk from the tearoom, down some steps and across the path between the top lakes you will find the National Collection of Astilbes, with over 220 cultivars. In the month of July, most of the astilbes are in full, feathery bloom and looking at their best. Colours range in various hues of pink, white, red, light and dark blue. Across the garden this month, the colours blue and white feature heavily, with agapanthus, campanula, buddleia, veronicastrum, white flowering phlox and early flowering acid blue hydrangea’s vying for attention. White flowering trees such as cornus capitata and the unusual Stewartia pseudocamellia (unusual tea relative) will be flowering. The herbaceous borders will look forward to welcoming you with their amazing blues, silvers and whites. www.marwoodhillgarden.co.uk

Colourful astilbes at Marwood Hill

Hotel Meudon near Falmouth offers a Cornish paradise

INSPIRATIONAL SUMMER PLANTING AT COTSWOLD GARDEN FLOWERS

Cornwall’s best kept secret: a hidden valley hotel with its own secluded beach, Hotel Meudon is a coastal paradise near Falmouth, Cornwall.

The stunning hotel is a stylish retreat boasting 9 acres of sub-tropical gardens, stunning sea views, 29 bedrooms and a treatment room. Award winning Restaurant Meudon, The Drawing Room and Freddie’s Bar are open to all, whether you’re staying at the hotel or simply passing by.

All menus feature a variety of dishes and are created using Cornwall’s bountiful larder.

A stay at Hotel Meudon will offer you time to sit back and unwind whilst enjoying stunning surroundings and top-quality service.

The gardens at the nursery of Cotswold Garden Flowers are well worth a visit. Planted and cared for by plantsman Bob Brown and often featured in Gardening Which?, there’s a huge range of summer flowering plants to give you inspiration. Plants you will see include hardy geraniums, alstromeria, phlox and penstemons.

The nursery is tucked away down a track in a quiet corner of the Vale of Evesham but easily found by SatNav. Surrounded by fields, the gardens offer a tranquil spot away from the hurly burly of daily life. Open daily, admission free, dogs on leads please.

Cotswold Garden Flowers, Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham, WR11 7EZ Tel: 01386 833 849 info@cgf.net www.cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk

www.meudon.co.uk

The Bishop's Palace & Gardens, Wells Explore 14 acres of tranquil gardens, moat and medieval Palace in the heart of Wells Open daily including guided tours, group visits, a regular programme of events, family activities, open air theatre, garden workshops and more.

ADMISSION:

The People's Ticket

-

12 months of return visits on any normal sightseeing

day, including to many events and activities.

Purchase on site or online at:

18

www.bishopspalace.org.uk Country Gardener

DELIGHTFUL GARDENS TO INSPIRE YOU PLANT AND GARDEN ADVICE Mail order and click and collect available, or pop along and visit us at the nursery

Groups welcome by appointment Open 7 days a week from 1st April to 30th September.

Weekends 10am -5pm, Weekdays 9am-5.30pm

Sands Lane, Badsey, Evesham, WR11 7EZ 01386 833849 info@cgf.net www.cotswoldgardenflowers.co.uk

GARDENS & TEAROOM Open every Friday 2pm - 5.30pm from 6th May to 30th September

Also August Bank Holiday weekend Saturday, Sunday & Monday GARDENS: adult £5, child £1

CADHAY, OTTERY ST. MARY, DEVON, EX11 1QT 01404 813511 www.cadhay.org.uk Member of Historic Houses

Shhhh! Meudon’s the word.

Stone Lane Gardens, Chagford, TQ13 8JU RHS Partner Garden Open all year round

Discover Cornwall’s best kept secret - a hidden valley hotel in subtropical gardens leading to its own secluded beach.

Woodland and Water Gardens National Collection of Birch and Alder

For special offers and bookings go to meudon.co.uk

Summer Sculpture Exhibition

@HOTELMEUDON • #MEUDONMOMENTS

w w w.s to nelanegard e n s. c om www.countrygardener.co.uk

19

GREAT PLACES TO VISIT

TYNTESFIELD BASKS IN HIGH SUMMER COLOUR AND ACTIVITY

COTTAGE PLANTS TO THE FORE IN CADHAY SUMMER

From the first flush of roses in June to colourful terrace planting that peaks in high summer, it’s full-blown flower time at Tyntesfield. The kitchen garden is a hive of activity with produce picked twice a week for the restaurant and plentiful fresh flowers for the house. On hot days, tree canopies in the arboretum provide visitors with welcome shade and vast lawns are perfect for picnics.

July is an excellent month for the magnificent collection of cottage plants in the exuberant borders leading down to the medieval fishponds where the water lilies are reminiscent of Monet’s iconic garden. As well as a profusion of roses, the large collection of dahlias is beginning to add a multitude of colour.

For the vegetable growers amongst you, the allotments grow from strength to strength. The gardens are open from 2pm every Friday afternoon and more details can be found on cadhay.org.uk Cadhay, Ottery St Mary, EX11 1QT

“Summer’s the time to admire all the effort of the last few months, seeing the plants you’ve propagated, planted and pruned thriving in the warm sunshine,” says Paul Evans, head gardener, Tyntesfield.

By June, the central arch in the rose garden is covered with the deep, carminepink flowers of rambling rose ‘American Pillar’. The open-cupped, simple blooms are beloved by bees. These may be the original Edwardian roses which delighted Via Gibbs, first wife of the 1st Baron Wraxall, who was especially fond of flowers and added much to the garden’s design.

Nestled into a sheltered hillside, this formal terraced garden with its flower beds provides a tranquil retreat all summer long. Twin ornamental gazebos offer a place to sit and reflect.

Peace, tranquillity and colour at Cadhay

These were derelict when the estate was acquired in 2002 but have been restored with many of their original decorative Minton wall tiles. They were rediscovered by the gardens team when clearing decades of debris, neatly stacked for safe keeping, probably by a gardener many decades ago.

Two high quality Rare Plant Fairs in July The quality programme of Rare Plant Fairs continues during July, with events held in interesting and unique gardens with their own individual style, making a visit to one (or more!) a great day out for gardeners. An impressive selection of specialist nurseries attends each fair, all experts in the plants that they grow. The full programme is Winterbourne House and Garden, Birmingham, Sunday 10th July, 10:30am-5pm.

Winterbourne is one of the best surviving examples of an Edwardian Arts and Crafts suburban villa garden. The botanical garden contains plants from around the globe with collections of plants from China, North and South America and the Alpine areas of the world.

Highnam Court, near Gloucester, Sunday, 24th July, 11am to 4pm. These stunning gardens have been totally and lovingly restored to their former glory, with many new additions being made to complement and enhance the original design, during the last 25 years by owner Roger Head.

The Fair supports the work of important local charity Cobalt Health.

The terrace beds and container planting around the house come into their own in summer with flamboyant floral displays. These are evocative of Tyntesfield’s late Victorian/Edwardian heyday when colourful, new exotic plants such as coleus, petunias and pelargoniums were in fashion and state-of-the-art glasshouses, powered by hot-water boilers, like the ones still here, enabled their cultivation.

The planting changes yearly, giving the gardeners opportunities to experiment.

This year, the star beds on the upper terrace are filled with salvias, begonias and cinneraria. The eight beds on the terrace below have a white, purple, blue and silver colour scheme with tall verbena which will add height to the display.

NT Tyntesfield Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX

Visit www.rareplantfair.co.uk for full details, including admission charges and list of exhibitors.

July Fairs

HILL CLOSE VICTORIAN

GARDENS WARWICK

10 July Winterbourne House and Garden, Birmingham B15 2RT th

Come and explore 16 unique restored Victorian gardens

24th July Highnam Court, Nr. Gloucester GL2 8DP

Open weekdays Nov-March: 11-4pm Open every day April-Oct: 11am-5pm with tearoom Sat, Sun and Bank Hol Mon

www.rareplantfair.co.uk Please visit our website for full details of admission fees and times of opening.

PLANTS / PRODUCE / HIRE / NURSERY Art in the Gardens: Saturday 16th July, 11am – 16:30 Normal entrance fee. Arts & Crafts /

Stalls / Exhibition / Potters & more

BOSCREGE CARAVAN & CAMPING PARK

THE MOST PICTURESQUE CARAVAN PARK IN CORNWALL With a welcoming atmosphere and set in 12 acres of Cornish countryside only two miles from the beautiful sandy beaches of Praa Sands, Boscrege Caravan & Camping Park is the best place to enjoy your Cornish holiday.

Each of our luxury holiday homes comes with a private garden and Wi-Fi. Perfect

for families and couples, we are open all year, and offer seasonal pitches.

We offer the following: • Designated dog walking fields • Pet friendly accommodation • Comprehensive storage • Luxury holiday homes for sale

01736 762231 • enquiries@caravanparkcornwall.com www.caravanparkcornwall.com 20

Heartbreak Production – Jane Eyre: Tuesday 23rd August, 6pm – 9:30

Come and joy a classic drama set within the gardens.

Tearoom open. Adults £15 Child £11.50 For all events & more please visit our website.

Garden entry £5.00 Child £1.00 HCGT & RHS Free Tel. 01926 493339 www.hillclosegardens.com Access by racecourse to Bread & Meat Close, Warwick CV34 6HF. 2 hrs free parking.

Country Gardener

READERS LETTERS

Have your say...

If you would like to write to us sharing gardening thoughts, ideas, experiences or just get something off your chest then write to us at Country Gardener, Mount House, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AD or email us at editorial@countrygardener.co.uk

WASTE COLLECTION CUTS ARE A BLESSING Some of the cuts to our local services in my area have ended up being a blessing. My garden waste collection stopped last spring and it almost forced me into doing something with all the waste. So, this spring I have enjoyed my first ever home-grown compost. I put the bin in a hidden corner of the garden and without too much trouble has ended up being wonderful – full of texture and smell. The only problem is there is not enough of it.

Chris Garland Cirencester

How we must educate about reducing plastic use There are encouraging signs which I read in your magazines that some organisations are starting to do something about eliminating plastic. I still think not enough is being done and the pace is far too slow. I believe we must start with children. I run a small but very active school garden in Torquay with a class of eight- and nine-year-olds and the children just love gardening.

They know about organic gardening. But it is the discussions we have about plastic which gives me hope. We are working hard not just in the school garden but throughout the school to reduce plastic and they have been coming up with alternatives such as cardboard or newspaper pots. The garden group has been designing posters which go up around the school encouraging others. The children find out for themselves how plastic is having such an impact. As a teacher I put a lot of faith in them being the campaigners of the future.

Pamela Royale

Torquay

A cheaper approach to lawns There seems to be a lot of fuss about encouraging us to have the perfect lawn. We moved into our house 40 years ago and have never spent a penny on our lawn. We just mow it regularly and in between times the clover, daisies and even dandelions flourish and are visited by bees.

Children play on it without fear of damage and the moss makes it soft to walk on. It is loved by birds, slow worms, insects’ ,squirrels and foxes but best of all when other lawns around us start to go brown and need watering our remains green thanks to the clover.

Allan Wilson sent by email

Rat deterrents in compost bins 1

How to defy the warmongers One image of the many coming out of Ukraine moved me to tears. It was of a young man surrounded by complete devastation earnestly planting potatoes in the ground. I pray that he will be there to harvest and enjoy them. Perhaps this is all about the eternal optimism of us gardeners.

Savannah Porter Salisbury

WHO NEEDS A LAWN? I wonder if the decline in lawns is something is to do with age and not being able to mow and tend then. Last year my husband and I, now both in our 80’s, decided to get rid of the lawn in our cottage garden completely.

It was just being too much to look after- even with the help of kindly neighbours who came in to mow it. Even that was noisy! So we replaced it with pebbles and we couldn’t be happier and it is so much quieter. Much of the area is now covered with specialist grasses and with containers growing vegetables and shrubs and even trees.

They are so much easier to tend and look after and gives us more time for the gardening jobs we enjoy.

Betty Hairsine

Martock

I think I have the answer to those who get really fed up with rats in their compost bins. It is also safe and humane. Mix hot chilli pepper, ground white pepper and ground black pepper together and sprinkle liberally around rat runs, at holes and wherever they forage. I have used this successfully for the past two years and it does seem to work.

Peter Baines

An eggs-cellent strawberry!

We have had a bumper early season crop of strawberries, some of them ready so early in the season and it is one of the delights of our vegetable garden to go down in the morning and pick them. But this made an appearance on our breakfast table and gave us an early morning laugh!

Abi Fairweather Liss

sent by email

Rat deterrents in compost bins 2 My wife wouldn’t go anywhere near the compost bin because of rats so I felt I had to do something about it. Rats are secretive souls. They prefer to keep to the edges of things and haunt passages like those made between a fence and a closely positioned shed. So, I moved the compost heap out into the open as possible, away from likely rat-runs along over-grown fence-lines and the sides of buildings, so that they are discouraged by a lack of cover. It also doesn’t do any harm as you walk past to give a bang with a stick on the side of the compost bin.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, don’t add cooked food, especially meat and fish, or anything strong-smelling like cheese and fats to the bin. Often these things get in by mistake. I also found that egg shells were a particular favourite and seem to attract more of them. So far so good!

Andy Benson

Poole

WELL DONE FOR INSPIRING US Your magazine deserves more than a little praise. It has over the years inspired my wife and I as we have endeavoured to plant shrubs and flowers, to attract bees and butterflies and to cultivate a wider space and this spring has been the best year so far for finding these species in the garden. Coupled with the hedgehog house and bird feeding station we are finding that wildlife is as important to the eco system as plants. Bravo!

Keith o’Shea www.countrygardener.co.uk

Dartington 21

May 22_Layout 1 05/04/2022 14:25 Page 1

WATER FEATURE

www.watergardeningdirect.com Tel: 01778 341199

We need help say new pond owners

s UK’ est g r a l lier of p d sup forme pre onds p

The boom in adding new ponds into our gardens in recent years has brought with it a steep learning curve for owners Creating a pond for wildlife is one of the best things that you can do to help wildlife. In the last three years introducing a pond into a garden has been one of the key gardening trends in the UK — with one specialist survey suggesting the number of garden ponds has increased by over 20 per cent since 2019.

Even a mini-pond on a balcony qualifies and can quickly become home to several plants and invertebrates, as well as attracting thirsty visiting birds.

The problem now it seems is that with so many new ponds in situ comes the issue of dealing with pond problems.

Algae, muck and murky water are the most common complaints from pond owners.

Luckily, you can solve most issues with good filtration, beneficial bacteria and plants.

A pond turning green is a problem that is particularly common in new ponds and during summer months. This is because it takes time for the nitrogen cycle to stabilise and so peaks of ammonia, nitrites and nitrates can lead to booms in algal growth.

It can take time for your pond to come back into balance, during which the excess algae may put off wildlife visitors and harm some of your pond plants. You can help get your

pond back into balance by adding barley straw to the pond. As this natural product decomposes it release chemicals that suppress algal growth. Similarly, by adding marginal pond plants like lesser spearwort you can throw shade over the shallow areas of the pond where algae grows. In the long term you can also reduce nutrient build up by removing leaves as they fall into the pond and stopping the use of pesticides and fertilisers.

F 72 pree Bro age ava chure ilab le

Create a stunning water feature in your garden with our range of stainless steel water blades, large illuminated fountains or a wide range of solar features.

Pond water turning brown is most likely due to sediment washing into the pond, due to something like heavy rain or a ripped liner. If it stays muddy for too long then the pond can turn toxic, as dissolved oxygen levels drop. A pump uses beneficial bacteria to add oxygen to the pond and prevent this from happening, but in most cases the same affect can be achieved by adding oxygenating plants like water crowfoot. Occasionally ponds may also turn black. This is rarer and usually a sign that a few different things are out of balance in your pond. It is well worth starting by checking for rips in your pond liner, but to get to the bottom of this one you will probably need a testing kit.

Waterfall Lights

Water Blades 30, 60 or 90cm wide

Large Range of Water Reservoirs Spectacular Illuminated Fountains 3m tall

Wall Spouts

OASE filters offer the solution for dirty ponds

Pond owners often ask, ‘why does my pond get so dirty?’ Well, it is a multifaceted answer… Green water comes from an accumulation of single celled algae. These tiny cells are too small to be trapped by mechanical medias (like sponges). Trees, bushes, and other plants will drop leaves and debris into the pond. Fish and other wildlife that may visit your pond will create waste. All this matter comes together to create sludge and generally murky water.

The best way to combat this is to install a pond filter. There are lots of different filters available and working out the right one for your pond will come down to several factors. How big is your pond? Do you have a few fish or loads of them? Where would you like the filter to be? The main rule of filtration to remember is that it’s always better to over filter, after all your water can’t be too clean!

OASE has a filter to suit any pond. From small in-pond filters to pressure filters, to box filters to large drum filters that can filter koi ponds up to 100,000 litres. What’s more, if you use a complete OASE solution with pump, filter, and UV you will be covered by our Green Water Guarantee.

Visit your local OASE distributor for help on which filter, pump and UV will suit your specific pond system. www.oase.com

Solar Neptune Water Feature

Water Gardening Direct offers high quality advice and solutions Water Gardening Direct has been established for over 21 years as a one stop solution for pond equipment, water features and parts. The staff have decades of experience with many having worked for other pond companies. When setting up the company their aim was to combine the best products in the industry with the keenest price, coupled with excellent advice and service. They work hard to retain these values, with customers continuously commenting on their helpfulness and knowledge. They can assist with wildlife ponds, fishponds, water blade features, fountains for large lakes and solar powered water features. Downstream, they offer treatments and spares to enable customer to maintain their water garden in good order. www.watergardeningdirect.com Tel: 01778 341199 22

Country Gardener

Solar Fairy Water Feature

Solar Frog Water Feature

www.watergardeningdirect.com Tel: 01778 341199

Rainwater terrace offers stylish new option for water collection

Have you bought some plants?

The benefits of saving rainwater are obvious but traditional water butts do have their problems so the people at Design 4 Plastics have invented Rainwater Terrace, a series of individual 67 litre water butts that stack together and connect sideways to suit any space.

Rainwater diverted from your down-pipe cascades through the whole Terrace filling all the water butts and watering plants in the clip-on planters as it goes. Once the bottom butt is filled, any excess water goes back to the drain, so the water is refreshed, and stagnation is avoided.

There are drain tubes on each level with a tap on the end. These are transparent so you can see how much water you have left, and they are fast - fill a watering can in 20 seconds.

Rainwater Terrace looks great bedecked with flowers, herbs or even veg, so you don’t have to hide it away.

Visit www.rainwater-terrace.com or phone 01937 845176

Ensure success & reduce cost with effective watering

www.leakypipe.co.uk 01622 746495

Want crystal clear water this summer?

OASE‘s top tips for pond filtration

Good filtration is the key to any healthy looking pond. With OASE’s technical knowledge anyone can achieve crystal clear pond water this summer. One of the easiest ways to achieve this is with the new OASE FiltoClear pressurised filters.

Not only is a FiltoClear easy to install, it’s even simpler to clean.

Just turn the nozzle to “Clean” and pump the handle at the top of the head unit until the water runs clear, that’s it! On top of this, the unit also includes a UV clarifier that gets rid of floating algae and bacteria.

The FiltoClear is also available as a set with an OASE pump, making it even easier to get clear pond water today. It is the complete pond filter package for your garden.

The FiltoClear range is developed to be out of sight and out of mind as all working parts are integrated in the cover (the photo to the left depicts a FiltoClear being buried). We also offer a clear water guarantee when an OASE pump, filter and UV are all used together.

Find a new OASE FiltoClear from your local retailer today and enjoy clear pond water this summer.

www.oase.com Counry Garden Article_Filtration(Ad2)v2.indd 1

www.countrygardener.co.uk

30/05/2022 16:12:46

23

TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSORIES

ACCESSORIES TOP OUR GARDEN SHOPPING LISTS

A huge range of garden accessories ideas and casual products is now tempting us to realise that gardening is no longer not all about plants and growing It seems that during the extended period of staying at home over the past couple of years gardeners spent more on non-plant and growing products that they did on making their garden a better, more comfortable and easier place to be.

Garden ponds became a real growth business as did landscaping projects where experts were asked to make often substation changes to gardens. Outside furniture, barbeques and eve high cost items such as hot tubs appeared more often on the shopping lists.

It’s a trend now which is unlikely to go away as we spend more time relaxing and enjoying the garden – again a lesson learned from having more time outdoors.

Backdoor Shoes

With every design telling a story, Backdoorshoes’ will have something for all gardeners from styles which include ‘Chillis’, ‘Meadow’ ’Chickens’ to name a few. The choice is colourful ,fun and imaginative.

There are also flip-flops, supersole flip flops and wellies to choose from - footwear for all weather!

Backdoorshoes were created to solve the problem of how to make quick trips into the garden without getting soggy socks or fiddling with boots or laces. Made of a foam EVA formula that won’t crack or perish, with removable washable insoles, they’re waterproof, lightweight, durable and comfortable.

The range of unique, vibrant designs continues to expand, with new designs always being suggested. Ladies’ designs are available In UK sizes 3 to 8, while the men’s Chunky Tread range comes in sizes eight to 14.

STRAIGHTCURVE - A CORNISH CASE STUDY IN THE ART OF GOOD DESIGN The garden of this Cornish cottage felt cramped due to the sloping path and walls on either side.

The client wanted to utilise the sunny aspect at the front of the house and create a place to sit but didn’t want to feel exposed to the lane below and the surrounding houses.

The contractor, Mid Cornwall Landscaping Ltd, created a small sunken paved area close to the house giving privacy and making it a place to enjoy the surrounding plants and the sun. Straightcurve® steel edging was chosen to give a contemporary feel to the project but complementing the colours in the paving and walling. It was used to form the risers of the steps to the sunken paved area, the steel was also chosen as it offered a space-saving option because the steps could be formed without encroaching on the surrounding path.

Straightcurve is a simple yet effective garden edging solution!

Products used: Straightcurve 240mm Rigidline + Fixed Height Line 400mm Straightcurve products are available for delivery throughout the UK via the online store at www.straightcurve.com/uk/

WIRE ANCHORS FROM RIVELIN GLEN CUT OUT DRILLING ON A CONCRETE FENCE POST Keeping shrubs and climbers under control is always a problem . You can control them effectively using Rivelin Glen Products uniquely designed Wire Anchors. They are quick and easy to attach to concrete posts (without drilling) to act as an ‘eye’ by threading wire through them to create a trellising system. The Gripple Trellising System is ideal to use with the Wire Anchors as the wire does not stretch, takes up to 100kg load & has a life of up to 15 years.

Multiple rows can be achieved with one length of wire and two tensioners. No more sore hands or sagging wires!

Rivelin Glen Products are the main stockists of the Gripple Trellising System. Prices: Wire Anchors from £10 for a pack of three. Gripple Starter Kit £19.75.

For more information, visit www.backdoorshoes.co.uk

www.rivelinglenproducts.co.uk Tel: 01246 462666 24

Country Gardener

Concrete Post Fixings (Wire Anchors) & Easy Trellising System Quick & Easy Solution to fix wires to concrete posts NO DRILLING - simply clamp the two halves together Three sizes to fit most concrete posts

FREE UK DELIVERY

Wire Anchor

Main Stockists of Gripple Trellising

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Everyone needs a pair of USE CODE HAMPTONCG AT CHECKOUT TO RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR ORDER T&C’S APPLY We are delighted to be back at RHS Hampton Court Flower Show this year, please come and see us if you are there! It’s time to venture outside and enjoy your garden, allotment or a walk in our comfortable, waterproof, Backdoorshoes. They are lightweight and ideal for slipping off/on when you need to. Mens and Ladies range available online in sizes UK 3-14. We also have a range of Chelsea ‘Jumpy’ Boots and Wellingtons. Footwear for everyone - we’ve covered all eventualities!

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25

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26

Country Gardener

Single roses Bees love the easy access to these single flowered petal roses which offer a more natural option for the rose lover.

More gardeners than ever before are succumbing to the delights of a single rose flower whose origins are in the natural simplicity of the wild rose.

But that’s nothing to the passion shown for these roses by bees who find it so much easier to access the pollen than from working through the density of traditional hybrid roses.

So, the single rose can enrich our gardens in more ways than one and complete successfully with the often too blowsy and back spotted hybrid teas.

The modest blooms of single-flowered roses have a simplicity and perfection all their own, as well as being easy to maintain and accessible to pollinators. Single roses have quite a story to tell.

Their origin is in the wild roses in our hedgerows where a dozen varieties of simple five petal roses have been found and loved for decades.

Over the years plant breeders have taken the simplicity of the wild rose with a long and prolific flowering season, disease resistance and new colours to create a whole new genre of roses which gardeners have taken to with a passion.

Why should this be? Perhaps it is that many rose lovers are looking for something more natural, relaxed and harmonious and insect friendly. The blowsy blooms and intense flowering of many of the hybrid teas perhaps belong to a bygone era.

Another benefit of the single rose is the wonderful crop of hips which follow in the autumn adding another dimension to growing them — deadheading of course isn’t necessary.

Cultivation of single roses In the right conditions, roses can be very long-lived plants, and can even become coveted heirlooms, passed from one generation of gardener to the next. When planting a new rose, it is important to remember that it needs a chance to find its feet. Plants will often take a few years to build up a good foundation of roots before they show signs of vigour above ground and begin producing quantities of new wood and flower.

When to plant single roses Roses are normally bought in winter, dormant and bareroot, or at any time of the year as a container plant (although an early winter planting is best for all but the most tender types). It is vital when planting to add compost to the planting hole and mix it properly with the surrounding soil. Make the hole ample enough to sensibly accommodate the roots without having to bend them to position the plant at proper depth. Soil should be firmed around the roots so the plant does not rock or sit too wet. During this formative period, it is important the rose is given space to breath and is not swamped by neighbouring plants. Once established, the strong, forked rose roots are extremely competitive against those of other plants.

Where to plant single roses It is much nicer to grow roses in a mixed border, rather than corralled into a bed with their own kind where diseases can spread like wildfire. Roses are often quite shapeless plants, and allowing them the support from a surrounding sea of herbaceous plants is much kinder. Most of the growth is concentrated on the upper part of the plant, leaving bare legs towards the base, but this can be disguised by planting roses with perennials, such as geraniums or phlox. Rose roots tend to descend quickly and deeply and are not particularly spreading, making them ideal bedfellows for shallowrooting perennials.

So what defines a single rose flower?

A single rose flower normally has five petals. This applies to all roses - climbers, ramblers and bush roses. Five, is the number of petals that the family group (Rosacea) has.

However! As plant breeders have come to realise our absolute fascination with this group of plants, the rose has developed from the original wild hedgerow ‘Dog Rose’ into semi double and fully double blooms which are the norm today.

Rosa ‘For Your Eyes Only’

The ‘single’ rose - as with its nearest cousin the ‘semidouble’ rose, has petals that open out wide, showing off the stamens. For insects/bees to find, for them to pollinate the flowers.

Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’

Some popular options for single roses Rosa ‘Dortmund’ This rose produces large, red flowers with a conspicuous white eye in succession throughout the summer – they are so big it takes only a few to make an impression. It can be grown as a climber or shrub.

Rosa ‘For Your Eyes Only’ Derived from the unusual Rosa persica, which is a native of central Asia, this hybrid has proven to be a successful, easy-to-grow garden shrub. The striking flowers have a dark, central, claret blotch bleeding into the pink petals, and it will flower all summer.

Rosa ‘Jacqueline du Pré’

Rosa ‘Sally Holmes’ A large, free-flowering shrub that produces sumptuous panicles of blush-white flowers all summer. Deadheading will speed up repeat flowering and keep the display tidy, trouble free, and with little scent – more a feast for the eyes than the nose.

Rosa ‘Jacqueline du Pré’ Named for the famous cellist, this rose produces clear-white, semidouble, scented flowers on strong, prickly stems. At the centre of each bloom is a cluster of delicate-pink filaments and gold anthers that stand out against the white petals.

Rosa ‘Glauca’

Rosa ‘Glauca’ A vivid deep pink rose with pale almost white centres. What defines this rose is the wonderful red hips in autumn.

Rosa ‘Ballerina’ A prolific ground cover rose with rich pink flowers which open from May throughout the autumn and are long living. www.countrygardener.co.uk

Rosa ‘Ballerina’

27

How probiotics lead to a garden full of life Twelve years ago, ex teacher Sue Allen and her husband stumbled upon the world of microbes, organisms which are too small to be seen and started to apply them to give gardeners healthy soil and strong robust plants.

A healthy plant has a healthy immune system. That’s right, just like humans, plants have an immune system that works to defend them against pathogens. A plant’s immune system helps it to recognise these pathogenic microbes, and resist attack.

If these pathogens get into the plants’ system, they suppress the immune response and cause disease.

Humans have good immunity due to biodiverse microbes in the gut.

It turns out that, similarly, plants have good immunity due to biodiverse microbes in the soil.

To enhance a plant’s immunity we need to be looking at ways that we can boost a plant’s microbiome, the microscopic creatures in, on and around it.

Just like humans, plants have a microbiome too. It is called the rhizosphere. It’s a narrow area of soil very close to the roots where bacteria and microbes influence plant growth and disease suppression. Microbes work to convert nutrients into food for the roots to absorb, produce hormones that stimulate growth, prevent infections, filter out metals and contaminants from the soil and release nutrients.

In a remarkable and intricate collaboration, plants make sugar and complex compounds out of photosynthesis.

They then release between 11 to 40 per-cent of these sugars and complex compounds into the rhizosphere to signal to the microbes what the plant needs for growth.

Plants use a sophisticated chemical language that only the microbes to whom they speak understand. These microbes then unlock the nutrients on which the plant depends, produce growth hormones and help it to grow.

Sue Allen became fascinated with all things plants and microbes. About 12 years ago she and her husband Jeff stumbled upon the world of microbes and have been hooked ever since. It has become more and more apparent to her that the loss of biodiversity in our environment is linked to the loss of microbial biodiversity and that re-introducing beneficial microbes into our soils and plants has a big impact on their health.

28

You can’t see microbes – they are microscopic by nature – but you can see the impact of killing them off; loss of nutrients, smaller harvests, disease, loss of wildlife. And the things that kill them off are chemicals, pesticides, herbicides, and pollution which are prevalent for most people in managing their gardens and outdoor spaces.

Little do we know that by using these products we impact an invisible world and damage the long-term health of our plants.

At Microbz hq,the business Sue and Jeff started up , they have developed a range of probiotics for gardens, to regenerate soils and boost plant growth. All the probiotic products are made using microbes harvested from healthy soil. We are offering a probiotic transplant; soil microbes are extracted from healthy soil to be applied to soil where microbes are less diverse or lacking in numbers.

We have been blown away by the difference adding probiotics to our soils and plants has made on our land in Wiltshire but don’t take our word for it. Here is what some of our customers say: “I have had problems in my polytunnel with tomato fungus at the end of the growing season every year until I used Plant Protector. It was completely absent last year.

I also notice it helps with aphids on my roses.” RA “We have been growing broad beans for many years and have always had terrible problems with black fly.

Last year, using Microbz Plant Protect for the first time resulted in our beans being clear of these. Not only does this make the plants look healthier in the ground, it has also seemed to give us more beans” IH We think that the best bit about using probiotics in our soils and on our plants is that it supports the food we grow to be full of nutrients which supports a healthy mind and a healthy body. We believe that the stripping down of microbes and nutrients in our food in the last two decades has been a part of the puzzle that has led to physical and mental health being compromised. The good news is that it is possible to reverse this cycle, but it all starts with healthy soil.

Country Gardener

The plant on the right shows the benefits of boosted soil treatment

Beneficial microbes can be used in three ways in your garden: • Spray them on plants and soil to boost soil fertility and strengthen plant growth.

• Add them to your compost to accelerate composting and increase microbial diversity in soil.

• Pour them into your pond to reduce algae, sediment and decomposition.

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29

CROSSWORD

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ACROSS 8. Decorated with flowers (9) 9. Relaxed, having taken camomile and lavender (6) 11. English poet (1906-84) who wrote ‘A Few Late Chrysanthemums’ (8)

The Toby Buckland Garden Festival is looking to recruit a sales executive to help with exhibitor sales and sponsorship The popular two day festival of gardening is well established and held at Powderham Castle outside of Exeter at the end of April and two months ago completed the eighth annual event.

The tele-sales position is home based and would involve working 30 hours a week starting in early September for the 2023 event and involves identifying potential sponsors for the show and helping sell space to exhibitors.

If you would like more information or the chance to discuss the position email alan@countrygardener.co.uk or call 01823 431767

22

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7. A wild, white or yellow flower in Scotland (5)

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12. Ragwort leaves and flowers are devoured by this insect (8,4) 15. Picks or harvests a garden crop (7) 16. Shadow cast by trees (7) 18. Rimsky-Korsakov heroine and beautiful, oriental trumpet lily (12)

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5. ____ holly or butcher’s-broom (4) 6. ‘Dancer with Bouquet’ was painted by this French artist (5) 10. Cancer fundraiser who recently had a rose named after her (7,5) 13. Flat and level with the ground (10) 14. An eternal giant tree in Norse mythology (9) 17. Surname of early television gardener (7) 19. Roses called this colour are technically maroon or dark red (5) 21. Botanist and ‘Father of the National Parks,’ John ____ (4)

20. Flowering plant also known as leadwort (8) 22. A plant living only for a year (6) 23. Genus of plants that include Cupid’s bower and widow’s tears (9) 24. Herb of the mint family, enjoyed in the Mediterranean (5)

DOWN 1. Substance obtained from a plant and used in medicine (9) 2. Paintbrush lily and blood lily are members of this genus of plants (10) 3. German city that gives its name to a parsley vegetable (7) 4. Genus of flowering plants commonly called the Peruvian lily (12)

Answers from previous issue, June 2022: P S E U D O B U L B S A

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What vegetables to plant in July TOO MANY OF US STOP SOWING WHEN IT GETS TO THE LONGER HOTTER DAYS OF JULY - IN FACT IT’S AN IDEA TIME TO KEEP PLANTING July is the perfect growing month, as long warm days stretch out late into the evening.

It is also a fantastic month for sowing seeds, as both soil and air temperatures are high. And too many gardeners tend to stick with what they have in the ground rather than sow fresh seeds.

The long, warm days with good light levels speed up the germination process, helping you to extend your season of cropping in the vegetable patch.

The priority ought to go on things such as quick-growing crops like radish, French beans and carrots can be sown now, too.

July is also a good month to plant out young plants grown from seed in previous months. It’s the last month to plant out young courgettes, squashes and sweetcorn – plant these early in the month to give them the best chance of cropping before the first of the autumn frosts. Now is also the best time to plant out winter cabbages that were grown from seed in April and May, so they’re mature in time for Christmas and beyond.

Radishes - The easy option -very quick to mature, easy to grow and almost pest-free, radishes provide a peppery burst to salads and will keep on being available to harvest right into the autumn. They can also be grown as companion plants to other crops.

French beans - As with carrots, July is the last month you can sow French beans with any conifence, to allow the pods time to mature before the first frosts of autumn. Opt to sow dwarf cultivars in the ground or in pots and remember to keep them well watered.

Lettuce - Lettuce and other salad leaves are an obvious option for July onwards for that matter – sow seed continually from March to September for fresh salad for the best part of a year. Sow seed in shallow drills or in pots. Thin seedlings to 30cm for hearting lettuces and simply harvest young leaves as and when for cut-and-come-again varieties.

Carrots - This is the last month to sow carrots for an autumn crop. Sow direct and thinly into drills of well-prepared soil. Try to avoid thinning seedlings to prevent carrot fly.

Turnips - Turnips can provide you with a double whammy – two harvests from one plant – the delicately sweet taproot can be eaten, as can the leaves or ‘greens’. Eat them soon after harvesting as turnips don’t store well. Sow direct in shallow drills, for a lovely winter crop.

Winter cabbages - July is the best time to plant out winter cabbages so they have plenty of time to mature before temperatures fall in autumn. Plant 45cm apart, leaving 60cm between rows. Firm in gently and water well. You may need to use netting to protect your cabbages from cabbage white caterpillars and pigeons.

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1000's of fabulous homegrown roses to choose from, old favorites to new varieties.

Visit the nursery, order online www.apuldramroses.co.uk or call 01243 785769 for friendly helpful advice.

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06/04/2022 11:43

GARDEN VISITS

1 SHEEPWASH GREEN Bridport, Dorset DT6 6NP

GARDENS TO VISIT

The home of award-winning garden writer and historian Ambra Edwards, her adventurously planted small garden was designed as a writer’s retreat by Chelsea gold medallist Ruth Wilmott. Secluded, inspired by the curves of the surrounding landscape, it guides the eye to the sea; terraced, with a gravel garden, green garden, flower meadow and grass parterre. Signed copies of Ambra’s books will be on sale. Open for the NGS with a lovely garden at Sheepwash Mead, this is a new opening for the NGS on Sunday 3rd July, 11am-5pm, combined admission £6, children free. Access for wheelchair users at Sheepwash Mead only.

in July

compiled by Vivienne Lewis Time to relax in your garden – and also to enjoy other gardeners’ work. So take time out and visit beautiful gardens, and help raise much needed funds for nursing and caring charities. We advise checking wherever possible before setting out as circumstances can force cancellations in private gardens. www.ngs.org.uk

CHARLTON DOWN HOUSE Charlton Down, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8TZ An extensive country house gardens in a 180-acre equestrian estate, there are formal terraces, perennial borders, a walled topiary garden, enclosed cut flower garden, a large greenhouse, and there’s a newly planted copse.

Opens for the NGS on Thursdays 7th, 14th and 28th July, 1pm-5pm each day. Admission £6, children free.

KIRKHAM FARM Upper Slaughter, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54 2JS Kirkham Farm is a new opening for the National Garden Scheme on Sunday 3rd July, 11am-5pm, a country garden with lovely views, mixed borders, gravel gardens, trees and shrubs, a hidden pool garden, cutting beds and a developing wild flower bank. Teas served in the restored stone barn.

Admission £6, children free.

THE GARDEN AT MISERDEN

HOLE FARM Bideford, Devon EX39 5RF

Miserden, near Stroud, Gloucestershire GL6 7JA

A three-acre rural garden with exciting features including a waterfall, ponds, vegetable and bog garden, terraces including a round house created from natural stone from the original farm quarry; peaceful walks through culm grassland and water meadows bordering the River Torridge, and there’s a herd of pedigree native Devon cattle. Open for the NGS on Sunday 17th July, 2pm-6pm. Admission £5, children free.

A timeless, tranquil walled garden dating from the 17th century, known for its magnificent mixed borders and Lutyens’ Yew Walk, quaint grass steps, ancient mulberry tree, arboretum and stunning views across the Golden Valley.

This year there’s a sculpture exhibition around the garden, the Cotswold Sculptors’ Association, ‘Creating Spaces 2022’ exhibition. Opening for the NGS on Friday 22nd July. Open 10am-5pm, admission £9, children free. www.miserden.org for more opening times and information.

OUR KEY TO FACILITIES ON OFFER AT THE GARDENS:

Refreshments available

Plants usually for sale

Wheelchair access to much of garden

Partial wheelchair access

Unsuitable for wheelchairs

Dogs on short leads

Visitors welcome by arrangement

Coaches welcome consult owners

Accommodation at this venue

Picnics welcome

www.countrygardener.co.uk

33

GARDEN VISITS

CHEVITHORNE BARTON

AM BROOK MEADOW Ipplepen, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12 5UP

Chevithorne, Tiverton, Devon EX16 7QB Awash with summer borders, walled garden and woodland with rare trees and shrubs, the garden opens next for the NGS on Sunday 3rd July from 2.30pm until 5.30pm. The garden is home to the National Collection of Quercus (oaks) and there’s a recently planted collection of birches and witch hazels. Admission £6, children free.

A country garden developed to encourage wildlife, it has perennial native wildflower meadows, ponds, streams and wild areas covering ten acres which are accessible by gravel and grass pathways. The formal courtyard garden has water features, herbaceous borders and prairie-style grass planting. Open for the NGS on Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th July, 2pm-6.30pm, admission £6, children free.

YEWS FARM East Street, Martock, Somerset TA12 6NF The home of Louise and Fergus Dowding, Yews Farm is an organic country garden, with a theatrical planting style in its large south facing walled garden, displaying emphasis on height, shape, leaf and texture; there’s also box topiary, a prolific cracked concrete garden in the farmyard with hens and pigs, kitchen garden, orchard with heritage apple varieties, and active cider barn – and tasting on request. Open for the NGS on Sunday 3rd July.

Admission £8, children free.

COURT VIEW Solsbury Lane, Batheaston, Bath BA1 7HB There’s a colourful mix of annuals, biennials and perennials, with spectacular views from the terraced lawns, small orchard and meadow.

Opens for the NGS on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July, from 11am until 5pm. Admission £5, children free.

SEEND HOUSE Seend, Melksham, Wiltshire SN12 6NR A Georgian house with six acres of gardens and paddocks and lovely views across the valley to Salisbury Plain; cloud and rose garden, stream lavender, fountain with grass border, knot garden, walled garden and formal borders. Open with Seend Manor, a stunning walled garden with water features, sculptures, topiary and masses of roses, for the NGS on Saturday 2nd July, 1pm-6pm, combined admission £10, children free. Partial wheelchair access at Seend Manor only.

COX’S HILL HOUSE Horton, Bristol BS37 6QT This elegant one-acre garden is laid out on two levels each backed by a high stone wall with panoramic views to the Mendips and to Wales; a formal lawn flanked by pleached limes, herbaceous borders, small vegetable/ cuttings garden and an orchard with meadow grass and wildflowers. Open for the NGS on Sunday 17th July, 2pm5.30pm, admission £5, children free.

34

Country Gardener

GARDEN VISITS

THE OLD MILL Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2PF

THE PARISH HOUSE

Surrounded by the River Avon, in a tranquil, picturesque setting in a hamlet which is part of the National Trust village of Lacock.

With lawns, flower borders, trees and countryside views, just wander around and sit to watch the wildlife on the water.

Open for the NGS on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th July. Open from 10am-7pm each open day, admission £5, children free.

West Knoyle, Mere, Wiltshire BA12 6AJ A small, south facing garden surrounded by hedges to protect from exposure to the open landscape beyond, with a gravel garden encouraging self-seeding, held together with topiary, roses and perennials, and further on a lawn area with trees. Open for the NGS on Sunday 17th July, 2pm-5pm, admission £5, children free.

23 EAST WYLD ROAD Weymouth, Dorset DT4 0RP A suburban garden full of colour, with a long meandering pathway, water features, many unusual plants, and places to sit; patio and seating areas near the house and a lovely summerhouse at the end of the garden with terracing.

Opens for the NGS on Sunday 10th July and Saturday 16th July, 12.30pm-5pm both days.

Admission £4,50, children free.

VENARDS North Gorley, Fordingbridge, Hampshire SP6 2PJ

HOLLYMOOR FARM

In the heart of the New Forest, this walled garden has been revived in the past five years, with stunning Victorian borders beneath ancient yew hedging, and a large Victorian-style greenhouse in a well-stocked kitchen garden; a brook runs through it and there’s a newly planted wildflower meadow. A new opening for the NGS on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July, from 10am3pm. Admission £5.

TWIN OAKS Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO53 1LW An evolving water garden with a meandering lawn between informal beds, ponds and bridges leading to a tranquil pergola overlooking a wildlife pond; a rockery is skirted by a stream, a waterfall tumbles into a large lily pond, and there’s an aviary. Open for the NGS on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st July, 1pm-5pm (also the weekend of 20th/21st August). Admission £4, children free.

BROADHATCH HOUSE Farnham, Hampshire A large garden set in the countryside with views to Alice Holt, divided by yew hedges into different areas and there’s a walled garden, two reflective pools, flower borders, mature trees, working greenhouses and vegetable garden.

An old sunken garden was redesigned in 2020.

Open for the NGS on Sunday 10th, Monday 11th and Tuesday 12th July, 2pm-5.30pm each day.

Admission £5, children free.

Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NL A mature garden with lovely views across the fields yet within walking distance of the town centre, it has a mix of the formal and informal going on to wild; pollarded trees and pleached hornbeams alongside soft floral planting, pathways lined with lavender and box balls from a central bed, lattice and archways covered with clematis and roses, vegetable beds softened with wildlife-friendly planting and flowers, a paddock with wild areas, orchard and greenhouses.

Opening for the NGS on Saturday 30th July from 11am-5pm. Admission £5, children free.

www.countrygardener.co.uk

35

Houseplants Q&A LEADING WEST COUNTRY AUTHORITY ON HOUSEPLANTS AMANDA PORTER TAKES TIME OUT TO ANSWER A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS ON HOUSEPLANTS AND THEIR CARE Q. WHAT IS AN AIR PURIFYING HOUSEPLANT?

Q. WHY DO HOUSEPLANT LEAVES TURN BROWN?

A: Lots of studies have shown that houseplants can help improve the air quality in our homes and offices. They do this by removing carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants and in return emit fresh oxygen. One of the most famous studies into this was conducted by Nasa in the United States. The Nasa Clean Air Study found a wide range of indoor plants were able to clean the air of harmful chemicals like benzene, formaldehyde and more. Some of the best and most effective air purifying plants are peace lily, sansevieria and Boston fern.

A: Plants are living things, they have needs, and if their needs are not met they tend to communicate their angst visually.

If your plant’s leaves have turned brown its usually because the plant is being watered inconsistently, or it is lacking humidity and moisture. Make sure the plant has sufficient water, is not sitting in a flooded pot or saucer and is being misted regularly.

Q. WHAT’S THE BEST HOUSEPLANT FOR THE BEDROOM? A: It is no secret; houseplants are scientifically proven to make us feel better and purify the air. Choosing the correct plant for your bedroom can induce calming feelings which in return help improve your sleep.

Air purifying plants like the peace lily, sansevieria and Boston fern again should be high up on your list for best houseplants for the bedroom. You might also compliment these with lavender, jasmine or valerian which can help promote relaxation and a night of restful sleep.

Q. CAN HOUSEPLANTS SURVIVE IN SHADY SPOTS? A: The simple answer to this popular question is yes. Many indoor plants are native to the forest or jungle and oftentimes can be found growing on the ground beneath the tree canopy. This means they’re used to low light levels and are happy to live in shady spots in your home.

Q. WHICH HOUSEPLANT WOULD YOU PRESCRIBE FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CALMING DOWN/MORE MINDFULNESS AND WHY? A: Schefflera on lava rock, an epiphytic plant by nature, can grow without soil.

A fun plant to watch as the water level in the tray disappears over time. This plant will take a lot of water from the air so a regular misting will keep it very happy. This plant can also grow quite quickly in bright spaces, which is a rewarding plant to prune into the shape you desire. This can be a very meditative experience.

Q. IF YOU HAD TO OWN JUST TWO HOUSEPLANTS, WHAT WOULD THEY BE? A: The fishbone cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger) a species of forest cactus I discovered while researching one of my books. It has the wackiest silhouette, a sort of wild explosion of wiggly stems and, unlike desert cacti, is best suited to bright, indirect light. This makes it a great choice for shadier living rooms, where it can make a big impact without needing too much direct light.

Then an oxalis, which was given to me by a friend, has become one of my most treasured plants. It is considered a weed in its native Brazil but its butterfly-shaped leaves (which open and close depending on the time of day) and delicate flowers make it particularly rewarding to live with. It is also resilient. If you happen to let it dry out, it will revive after a good watering.

It is perfect for the forgetful plant owner.

Fishbone cactus (epiphyllum anguliger)

Oxalis

Q. WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON HOUSEPLANT PROBLEM? Q. WHAT ARE THE EASIEST HOUSEPLANTS TO LOOK AFTER? A: Often the easiest houseplants to care for originate from dry, arid environments, for example, cactuses.

Succulents are also very easy to care for, they’re able to store large amounts of water and therefore need very little tender loving care.

One of my favourite houseplant is the sansevieria snake plant, these plants are extremely hardy, needing very little care and are quite happy being placed in shady spots in the home.

36

A: Watering. How often, how much, when, what type. Particularly in the case of cacti and other succulents, there is a misconception that they need very little or no water to survive.

Or paradoxically, some of our clients kill their cacti by overwatering.

Q. WHICH HOUSEPLANT IS BEST FOR KIDS TO LOOK AFTER? A: Cacti are great plants for children because they require very little in the way of water and can randomly sprout flowers in warm and sunny spots. They are very tolerant, and you won’t have to worry about any floppy or falling leaves.

Q. WHAT GENERAL PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT TO OWN HOUSEPLANTS? A: As opposed to your garden, your houseplants will certainly need more care. It’s always best to do a little bit of research on your plants, even if it’s to see how often your houseplants should be watered or what the desired climate for your houseplant should be.

There are so many varieties you have to know the needs of your specific plant.

Most houseplants are happy at around 70°F (20°C), but some only thrive at colder temperatures. For example, cyclamen prefer a temperature range between 50°F to 60°F (10°C to 15°C); cineraria even colder. If you own a bonsai tree or any other tropical indoor plants, then you may need to have a constant temperature of around 70°F (20°C).

And I would say be careful when placing your plants near a heated source. Most forms of home heating produce an atmosphere which is too dry for most pot plants. Central heating in winter will create a warm atmosphere which is as dry as a desert. This will be almost inhospitable for indoor plants.

Country Gardener

Is this the end

OF THE GARDEN LAWN? PAVING, GRAVEL, BIGGER BORDERS, MORE EMPHASIS ON LABOUR SAVING PLANTING SCHEMES ARE ALL POPULAR ALTERNATIVES AS RECORD NUMBERS OF US DECIDE TO GIVE THE LAWN THE CHOP.

Are we starting to see the end of the traditional English lawn? Will those lush green, perfectly striped displays of grass which dominate many gardens become a thing of the past?

Since Covid almost a third of garden owners have decided to update their gardens, adding different features, changing planting, introducing landscaping and just doing something different.

And one theme says a new report, is that lawns are getting the chop.

The report, which surveyed over 7,200 homeowners, found that 54 per cent of people with a natural lawn will decrease its size or remove it all together when upgrading their gardens. Paving, gravel, bigger borders, more emphasis on labour saving planting schemes are all popular alternatives to real grass.

This follows the move towards gardens that are easy to maintain, with 67 per cent of those surveyed stating this as a key priority when renovating their garden.

A 2021 Mori Poll found that three million front gardens have been Lawns are becoming smaller and paved over in the designed to put emphasis on borders last decade.

Reducing the size of your lawn or removing grassed area altogether can help you conserve water and save time. It can also give you the incentive to make your garden more colourful. But where do you start?

While lawns offer space for picnicking and playing outdoors, they also require a lot of maintenance. Between keeping up the demands of regular mowing, dealing with the weeds and often the water bill, many homeowners now look for alternative solutions.

So why not consider reducing the size of your lawn? With some thoughtful plant selection and placement, you can reduce the amount of lawn that you maintain by at least 40 per cent and enjoy a lower maintenance garden that still looks neat and well cared for.

By reducing your lawn by even 25 per cent, you’ll be providing a more diverse habitat for birds and pollinators.

In addition, you will create a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape.

Start by taking a good look at your lawn. The most obvious lawn areas to eliminate are places where the grass doesn’t thrive in the first place—shaded areas under trees, wet sections in the yard, and rocky outcroppings.

Ask yourself how much lawn you really need.

Once you’ve determined what you want your garden to be you may find that you can dramatically decrease your lawn. But don’t make any big changes — not right away. Do a little research before you start. Start small and replant over a period of months or even years.

SO, WHAT CAN REPLACE YOUR LAWN? shades of orange. Like the ground cover option, these are suitable for repeating over a large area, where they blend into a continuous mass of plush foliage and soft seed stalks that sway in the breeze.

Wildflower meadow

Perennial borders While annual flowers are a great choice for the areas closest to paths, patios and entryways where they can be enjoyed up close, larger perennial species are a complementary choice for the far sides of the lawn where the swathes of colour and texture can be enjoyed from a distance.

The maintenance required is much less than for annuals cutting back the flower stalks once or twice a year is usually sufficient.

Ground cover Large scale ground cover plantings are a low maintenance alternative for lawns. Many offer colourful foliage, seasonal flower displays or interesting textures. There are varieties for shady areas, as well, providing options for replacing a lawn that is failing due to lack of sunlight. Ground covers are a suitable choice when you want to eliminate the lawn entirely, as they tend to have a uniform appearance that is appealing when repeated over a large area.

Direct seeding a mixture of native wildflowers is another option for replacing grass.

This is especially effective on large rural properties where the semiwild appearance of a meadow is a good fit with the naturalised landscape. The key is finding the species that are best adapted to the climate and soils where you live.

After they are established, little is needed in the way of maintenance other than an annual mowing.

Wood chippings cover

Low maintenance ornamental grasses Specialist grasses have a taller, clumping habit - and require no mowing - and come in an astonishing range of colour, from blue-grey to purple, pink and

AN ACTION PLAN FOR LESS LAWN • Choose least functional lawn areas to replace areas of lawn which are least used, and those which are hardest to mow • Grow native trees, shrubs and ground covers or native grasses. They will require less fertiliser, or no pesticides, less watering and less maintenance.

Birds and wildlife will benefit from the berries and seeds of native plants. www.countrygardener.co.uk

Wood chippings are a very natural and forgiving surface as an alternative to lawn. They’re a great choice if you have children and is unlikely to attract weeds, reducing the maintenance further.

• Mulch annually – shrubs and flower beds should be mulched at least once year with a biodegradable mulch.

• Consider the lawn shape – replacing corners with curves, minimising ‘islands’, small reductions in lawn size can save a lot of mowing time.

• Plant using multiple layers or mixed borders – trees, shrubs and flowers can be planted in layers which successively shade each other.

37

READERS STORY

CHANGE YOUR GARDEN

not yourself!

Annie Davies has been inspired by her 82-year father Stan who despite his arthritis and partial blindness has worked out a way how he can keep gardening in his Devon home.

I thought my father who is now 82, would give up gardening when his arthritis started becoming a real problem about six years ago. But it meant too much to him to be out in the sun and getting his hands dirty in the garden – and growing things.

Then, three years ago his eyesight started really to deteriorate, and I thought, right, this is the end of his gardening. But my dad – his name is Alfred ‘Stan’ Jenkins -sat down and thought about how he could keep on gardening.

Doctors tell us that gardening is a therapeutic activity that fortifies the mind, body, and spirit. I am a gardener and I’ve always known that the sun and soil that gives life to our plants also facilitate growth in our own lives.

But when we get old do we give up too soon? Do we just pass the garden on to someone else and sit indoors and watch rather than do? What happens as we age or become ill and we become suddenly unable to provide for the garden that’s given us so much?

Simple. If it is at all possible then keep going and create a garden which you can still work in! It almost certainly will involve you making changes, using different equipment and adapting, but as my dad has discovered it is worth it.

Of course, he can’t garden the way he used to, and I suppose being sensible about it, his gardening hours are down to about half of what they used to be. But he gets out there on sunny and wet days and without being over sentimental, it has given him something extra to go on living for.

My dad spent most of his life as an architect in and around Manchester before moving to Devon to retire, so he had a bit of a head start when it came to thinking about exactly how he could keep his gardening going.

With the help of his youngest daughter (me) and my husband and teenage kids he made straight pathways and landmarks. He built ground-level borders and beds that are no more than three feet in width. The object was to allow him to reach the centre of the bed area from either side.

He knew enough about gardening to think about grouping plants by colour and by scent. Obviously, gardens for blind people should appeal to a sense of smell; the distribution of scent can aid in locating different areas of the garden as well as providing a fragrant garden. Using wind chimes or waterfalls helps him to guide with sound.

He changed his gardening tools to short handles whenever possible. This allowed him to cultivate with one hand while leaving the other free to explore the garden. The visually impaired should never have to go searching for tools. He uses tool pouches or buckets so they can be carried along.

Tying short ropes to handles can help recover dropped or misplaced tools.

He has real trouble kneeling and getting up and down so has had to work that out as well.

If you find it difficult to kneel or have trouble getting down and up again, or you struggle to lean forward to tend to raised beds then it puts you off gardening. So, he gets round it by using a kneeler for his knees, with a stool to lean on directly in front. He got the idea from another arthritic gardener. He uses the stool to lever himself down and back up again whilst leaning on and over it to dig, plant and weed.

Secateurs are impossible to use because of his arthritis, so he has some cordless electric ones. They are quite a lot more expensive than ordinary secateurs and slightly heavier

“But when we get old do we give up too soon?

Do we just pass the garden on to someone else and sit indoors and watch rather than do?” due to the battery. They are activated by a trigger which is easier to pull. Again, a shared idea from another disabled gardener.

He developed a way of never having to use a watering can by adapting a garden sprayer which might have been used for chemical spraying bhut which he fills with water.

There is a disabled gardening community which like my dad has worked things out and so far, succeeded in getting round some of the things which might stop others from gardening because there were no options.

You can buy special disability friendly versions of most gardening items; however, he has found that adapting what you already have is much cheaper and, because it is personalised, the result often works better too.

The message here is simple.

If you love your garden, there’s always a way to keep on keeping on.

The Gardening with Disabilities Trust aims to help people keep gardening in spite of disability. They give out grants so that people can adapt their gardens. www.gardeningwithdisabilitiestrust.org.uk

Editorial

Magazines

Publisher & Editor: Alan Lewis alan@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01823 431767

Time Off

Cath Pettyfer - Devon cath.pettyfer@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01837 82660

Design & Production

Distribution & Stockists

Advertising Sales

Corina Reay - Cotswolds & Dorset corina@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01823 410098

Gemma Stringer gemma@countrygardener.co.uk

Tel: 01594 543790

Kate Lewis timeoff@countrygardener.co.uk Ava Bench - Somerset & Hampshire ava@countrygardener.co.uk Tel: 01278 786139

Classifieds classified@countrygardener.co.uk

Aidan Gill aidan@countrygardener.co.uk

Pat Eade distribution@countrygardener.co.uk

Accounts and subscriptions Heather Rose heather@countrygardener.co.uk

The Country Gardener magazines are distributed FREE at Nurseries, garden centres, National Trust Properties, open gardens, garden machinery specialists, country stores and farm shops in each county. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or made available in any form, without the written permission of the copyright holder and Publisher, application for which should be made to the Publisher. Unsolicited material: do not send or submit your only version of manuscripts and/or photographs/transparencies to us as these cannot be returned to you. While every care is taken to ensure that material submitted is priced accurately and completely, we cannot be responsible or liable for any loss or damage suffered. Views and/or opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of Country Gardener or the Publisher. Printed by Mortons Print Ltd, Morton Way, Boston Road Industrial Estate, Horncastle, LN9 6JR.

38

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