Prune pyracantha after flowering
Prune pyracantha just after flowering to make the most of the fabulous display of berries you can expect from next month onwards. You'll find a great selection of this truly year-round shrub in our garden centre here in %locations%, with berries in a traffic light range of colours. Among the best scarlet-berried pyracantha are 'Saphyr Rouge'. If you prefer orange [...]
Jobs for August 2
The lazy, hazy days of summer are with us at last, and it's a great time to kick back and enjoy the rewards of your hard work. But don't take it too easy: there are still a few things to be getting on with! General tasks: Feed containers and hanging baskets once a week with high-nitrogen liquid fertiliser to maintain [...]
August’s plant of the month 2
August's plant of the month is the hydrangea, one of our all-time favourite shrubs for its gorgeous showy flowers, easy-going nature and superb versatility. You may not realise, for example, that you can have a hydrangea flowering every day from early July through till the first frosts if you choose well. That's because there are an amazing 23 species, all [...]
Give wisteria summer prune
Give wisteria its summer prune to keep it within bounds, prevent winter damage and encourage lots of those sumptuous long perfumed flower racemes next spring. Your plant will by now be sprouting a jungle of long, whippy shoots in all directions: this not only looks messy, but all that green growth is diverting the plant's energy into producing lots of [...]
Tackle your pond weed
Tackle your pond weed before it takes over and swamps fish, plants and wildlife. Blanketweed, duckweed and 'pea soup' algae turn your pond green and cover the surface until your pond is completely obscured. It can really get going as the weather turns warm, but fight back now and you'll keep it under control. Blanketweed: This clings to the sides [...]
Keep chillies growing strongly
Keep chillies growing strongly by giving them the best possible conditions to form flowers and then fruit to set your tastebuds on fire this autumn. The staff at West Dean Gardens in Chichester are past masters on the subject of chillies: they grow over 300 varieties, and their annual Chilli Fiesta takes place this week (see www.westdean.org.uk for more details). [...]