News - Page 40

‘That plant really needs cutting back.’ How often have you looked at your garden and said those words? It can be hard to know what to cut back when, and how much to chop, so here are a few tips for pruning shrubs, trees and perennials.

With their tall, elegant spires of purple or white flowers, foxgloves bring shady borders to life in early summer. The foxglove is one of those wildflowers that has made itself at home in our gardens, and it’s easy to see why. Loved by pollinators, especially bumblebees, this low-maintenance beauty will self-seed gently around your garden, creating an aura of cottage garden charm.

It's not too late to plant vegetables and herbs in August, even though it is summer and you may already have an abundance of crops. It is actually quite easy to grow at this time of year, as long as you know which plants will grow in the heat of the summer. The key with planting at this time of year is water, especially in particularly dry weather and there are plenty of vegetables that you can grow to extend the growing season for as long as possible meaning you get to enjoy homegrown crops for much longer. Here are some of our suggestions for what you can plant now.

It is really easy to start growing dazzling Dahlias. They’ve seen a huge big comeback over recent years, with many more people growing all kinds of varieties in the garden and on the allotment. The many types and colours mean there really is a Dahlia for everyone, and you can pick from various shapes, colours and sizes. Not to forget they are one of the most popular flowers on social media. 

Get on top of deadheading flowers to ensure your plants continue blooming for as long as possible. Make flowers bloom throughout the summer and even into autumn. Many gardeners find this job can be a little tedious, but we love it because it means that you are helping the plant put its energy into producing more flowers and stopping setting seed. So grab your secateurs and keep those plants flowering for as long as possible.

Do you wonder how to make a plant terrarium, after seeing them pop up all over the place recently? They have not only become very trendy but are a lovely way to grow plants in small spaces. If you own a business they can be a good way to bring some plant life to the room with little care as well. Buying them already made up is an option but why not make one yourself? That way you get to understand the plants and can even personalise it as well.