The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Flower power as warmer weather heats up gardening
The fine spell of sunshine brings out the early summer flowers this week for John
Although lockdown restrictions are now being relaxed a wee bit and we can now venture out – but not too far – it is still great to return to our place of rest and relaxation amongst the early summer flowers in the garden.
After two months of continuous sunshine and very warm temperatures towards the end of May and into June, the flowers just love it, as long as we give them plenty irrigation.
Rain has been non-existent apart from one shower at the end of April, none in May, and a bit more at the beginning of June so, with a bit of luck, the soil water deficit will be returned to normal and planting can continue without the need to water before and after every planting of vegetables and bedding plants.
This is a great time for flowers, from shrubs, herbaceous, and ground cover to the the first summer bedding plants – and now all the roses are well into their flowering season.
Rhododendrons and azaleas were at their best in May but later varieties are still in great form into June, provided they got plenty water during the dry spell.
Anna took the opportunity to practise some layering of the best azalea colours so we can add a few more plants.
The lockdown has given us more time to see which plants give the biggest colour impact and others that are not so great, so these will need replacing.
Some Phlox subulata, Doronicum and Pulmonaria died out as the dry weather was not to their liking, so they will be replaced with a few drought-tolerant plants such as the succulent groundhugging Delosperma nubigenum.
This is very easy to propagate from cuttings, so a batch of plants are now growing in cellular trays. They will be ready to plant in a couple of months. Alliums put on a good display but it was very short-lived in the dry weather.
Viburnum mariesii and Cistus purpureus were both looking great but they had to have constant watering to prevent the flowers flagging.
However, lilacs flowered over a long time and my outdoor fuchsia, Mrs Popple, has started flowering and will continue until the autumn.
Our small border of herbaceous plants has been a real eye-catcher as the bright red Oriental poppies with huge flowers all came out together.
Red peonies are also in flower apart from pink Doreen, as well as the first bearded iris. My favourites are the deep purple Dusky Challenger and the yellow Jeanne Price.
Border pinks are also trying to flower but the unusual sunny weather, which is normally in their favour, may also be helping an invasion of aphids on both flowering shoots and leaves.
There is just too many to kill by rubbing off, so the sprayer will be needed.
The lockdown has given us more time to see which plants give the biggest colour impact and others that are not so great