May
Garden Contrast by Mark Vaughan at Gardeneer
People, when purchasing shrubs for their gardens, seem to concentrate on the flowers the shrub will produce and I feel they are missing out on a major aspect of gardening - the contrast between shrubs, or, to put it more simply, how two or more plants will interact. This is something that I keep in the forefront of my mind when designing a garden for a client and I do not rely simply on the flowers of a shrub to give the "wow" factor in the garden; people forget that foliage is a major contributor of interest in any well planned garden. Unlike flowers, foliage is not transient and will last throughout the growing season and, in many cases, give you a stunning autumn display.
So, my advice is, when purchasing shrubs at your local garden centre or nursery, always think about what will enhance the flowering display of any shrub or herbaceous plant you may be considering. The photograph on the left shows a good example: in the foreground, Crocosmia "Lucifer" with its rich red sprays of flowers makes a stunning contrast with the deep purple foliage of Sambucus nigra "Black Lace" which will also produce a stunning display of pink flowers in August.
The photograph on the right shows the interaction of contrast between three plants - the delicate flowers of Astrantia major in the centre of the picture are enhanced by the bold purple foliage of Cercis canadensis "Forest Pansy" and, to complete the trio, in the foreground is Lobelia cardinalis "Queen Victoria" with its rich red foliage which is later further enhanced by its blood red flower spikes!
So next time you are considering purchasing shrubs, think about contrasts and how the shrubs will interact with each other to produce a longer lasting and more striking display. For further information visit www.gardeneer.co.uk
Jobs for May
- Tie woody climbers to supports such as trellis and training wires
- You can sow, Runner and French beans, and Sweet Corn directly into outdoor seed beds
- Apply shading to greenhouses
- Put grow through frames and supports into place for leggy herbaceous plants now
- Start to earth up potatoes as they begin to shoot above ground
- Start to tie in sweet peas to their supports
- Start to clip evergreen hedges
- Watch out for adult lily beetles, easy to spot as they are pillar box red.
- Check roses for first signs of blackspot and mildew. Also keep an eye out for the first infestations of aphids.
There are many flowering shrubs and trees really looking their best in the garden this month. Typical of these are rhododendrons which always dazzle in their purples, pinks and reds. – there is no better place to see this then down Bearwood Road or over at the Finchampstead Ridges.
Many climbing plants are coming into full bloom including the Wisteria floribunda and Clematis Montana var. rubens. Both these will look great climbing up a sunny wall or why not have them spreading over a pergola above a patio. Gardeneer have a wide selection of patio styles and pergolas for you to choose from, which can be built now in time for you to enjoy for the rest of summer.
Regular mowing and weeding is necessary at this time of year to keep the garden looking its best.- A hosepipe ban will not stop the weeds growing! One of Gardeneer’s most popular services is their Regular Maintenance visits - where you can rely on a reliable, regular gardener to carryout all the routine garden tasks, so you can to sit back and ‘Enjoy your garden looking just the way you like it’
The weather is warming up and there is plenty to keep you occupied outside
Spray roses to protect them from pests, and feed with a rose fertilizer.
Tall border plants such as delphiniums and peonies should be given support while they grow by staking or placing support frames around them.
Trim away the old tattered looking leaves on evergreens ferns to allow the new ones to come through.
Spread a layer of composted bark or garden mulch around herbaceous border plants, this helps to help retain moisture and provide nourishment to the soil.
Plant out sprouted dahlia tubers 4-6 inches deep – put the stake first to avoid damage to the tuber.
Split polyanthus and primroses for more plants next year.
Summer bedding plants such as nicotiana and marigolds which have been grown from seed in the greenhouse should be put into a cold frame outside to harden off and acclimatize to outdoor conditions. Don’t be tempted to plant out too soon as a late frost in May could kill them all.
Regularly water newly planted shrubs until they have become well established. – whenever possible use rainwater from a water butt.
Lightly trim hedges to keep them in shape as they put on a spurt of growth.
Plants to look for in May
Hawthorn blossom, Anemone coronaria, Prunus ‘Shirotae’, Geranium asphodeloides, Primula pulverulenta
