Icons that will delight in winter
Also plant for later blooms
WHEN adding new plants to your garden this month, think about plants which have become icons for a reason, so that you are in the “royal circle” of gardening too!
Bamboo ( Nandina domestica) is the heavenliest, “fake bamboo” available and in large pots, they mean “good luck” at your front door.
You can plant them in a row in a narrow space between the house and a boundary wall. They will soon supply a lacy look with their rust-tinted leaves, and supply height with their tallgrowing branches, giving you much-needed privacy.
The bright red berries they produce will delight you during winter.
Also plant a few of its dwarf cousin ( Nandina pygmaea) to create fiery foliage balls with bright autumn colours all over, good for sun or light shade. Both are coldhardy and waterwise.
Roses in May
Rose hybrids such as Iceberg, Double Delight, Candy Stripe, Blue Moon, Satchmo and Bride’s Dream are top sellers and it makes sense to plant them now with their summer growth period behind them.
This will give them time to settle in over winter and by October, you should be showered in blooms!
Rose care for May: Water at least once a week. If you have planted annuals among the roses and your automatic irrigation system is set on more regular watering cycles, it is fine to leave it so.
Fertilising is not needed now.
Keep on spraying against fungal infections like black spot, mildews and rust which are more active in cooler weather.
Aphids can be more difficult to destroy than in summer, seemingly due to higher sugar levels in the plant cells, which attracts them.
Use systemic insecticides such as sprays, or drench the soil around each bush with a systemic insecticide.
Nodding poppies
Iceland poppies ( Papaver naudicale) are the graceful queens of late winter and spring as both garden and cut flowers.
The best way to enjoy their beauty is to plant them as a bold border which receives full sun. Grow them in welldraining, slightly alkaline soil, about 30cm apart.
For a winter wonderland effect, interplant your poppy seedlings with pretty daffodil bulbs. Do not overwater poppies, and protect them with cutworm bait. Two good varieties to choose from are Champagne Bubbles and Artist Glory.
California poppies ( Escholtzia Mission Bells) are another favourite which can tolerate poor, sandy soil and dry spells. They start flowering in September with a main flush in October.
The silky flowers are not perfect for the vase, but are edible and add zing to salads.
Coastal gardening
Doll up large patio containers with miniature orange trees (Calamondin), under-planted with oriental veggies like Mizuna, Pakchoi and Tatsoi and a herb-like thyme.
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