PLANT YOUR BORDER
Sunshine and a fertile, well-drained but moisturefor retaining soil are a must this band of extrovert plants. None of them will appreciate prolonged winter wet, but many do need lots of water to flower well, so add plenty of well-rotted organic matter and remove perennial weeds before planting. Mulch annually to keep down weeds, lock in soil moisture and gradually improve structure.
1 Start with the ricinus
Ricinus seed needs early sowing if plants are going to attain a show-stopping size by late summer. Always wear gloves and sow in a heated propagator in February or March, soaking seed for a couple of hours beforehand. Pot on as they grow, keep frost free, and plant out in late May or early June into an improved planting hole.
Add a strong stake, water well in dry spells and deadhead flowers to stop the production of toxic seeds. Dig up plants once they’ve been blasted by frost and add to your council’s green waste collection.
2 Pot up the dahlias
Pick up container-grown dahlias in early summer, or grow your own from tubers ordered in winter to get the exact cultivar you’re after. Pot them up in multipurpose compost in early spring, keeping them in a frost-free greenhouse. Take cuttings from the first shoots and you’ll get extra plants for free.
Plant out after all risk of frost, enriching the planting hole and adding a single strong support
stake.
Large, pot-grown plants are less prone to slug and snail damage, but have some defences ready. Deadhead every few days, water in dry spells and boost with a high potash liquid food. In more sheltered parts of the country and on well-drained soil you can overwinter tubers in the ground covered with a protective mulch. Or, dig them up once blackened by frost and store in barely damp potting compost in a frost-free shed.
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3 Establish the achilleas and hemerocallis
Achilleas and hemerocallis can be planted in autumn or spring in well-drained soil, but it’s safer to wait for spring if you have clay. Cluster achilleas towards the front of the border so you can admire the masses of pollinators that are drawn to the flowers.
Hemerocallis ‘Corky’ is a dainty example that should convert gardeners who’ve been put off by chunkier cultivars. Establish bareroot plants in a container of multipurpose compost before planting out.
Deadhead individual daylily flowers to keep things looking smart. Cut back early achillea blooms to encourage the next flush, but leave later flowers in place to ensure sculptural seedheads to catch the frosts.
Divide established plants in spring, splitting into smaller clumps and replanting into soil enriched with compost.
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4 Plant the crocosmia
Plant crocosmia corms in spring, 10cm (4in) deep into well-drained soil, adding extra compost to the site. ‘Lucifer’ is a hardy cultivar but still appreciates a late autumn mulch of leafmould or compost while leaving this year’s foliage in place until spring. When clearing away, take care not to pull out corms. Established clumps can be lifted and split with a spade into
smaller sections in autumn or spring.
5 Finish with the gladioli
Plant gladioli corms into warm soil from May to July, 10-15cm (4-6in) deep and apart. For a staggered display add in stages, with stakes to support this large-flowered cultivar. Gladioli like a well-drained soil with extra water during dry spells to power their summer growth. In mild areas, leave in situ over winter, adding a thick mulch for protection. Or, lift once the foliage browns, then dry before twisting off and discarding the old lower corm. Store in a cool, dry, frost-free place. ✿
MAKE THE DISPLAY LAST
SPRING: TULIPA ‘RED RIDING
HOOD’ Punchy dwarf scarlet tulip with darkly streaked leaves flowering March-April. H20cm (8in) S10cm (4in)
SUMMER:
HELENIUM ‘SAHIN’S EARLY FLOWERER’
Masses of daisy-like flowers in shades of orange, gold and mahogany from June onwards. H90cm (3ft) S75cm (2½ft)
AUTUMN: KNIPHOFIA ‘EMBER
GLOW’ Dwarf red hot poker with orange and yellow flowers appearing August to the frosts. H60cm (2ft) S45cm (18in)
WINTER:
These evergreen black sword-like leaves need a sheltered site and protective winter mulch. H and S1m (3ft 3in)
ADDER’ PHORMIUM ‘BLACK