This month...

• Keep all plants well mulched. In regions which get winter rainfall, water deeply with grey water or harvested rainwater at least once a week; in other regions water in dry weather. Newly planted seedlings and shrubs need water often until established. • Feed plants with a seaweed-based organic fertiliser, which improves the soil and acts as a soil conditioner. The liquid form is used as a foliar feed and the pelleted form as a slow-release fertiliser. • Grow dwarf, medium and tall blue and white agapanthus to add grace and colour to your summer garden. The white-flowered varieties such as ‘Double Diamond’ show up well in an evening garden. • Day lilies are useful and reliable perennials, their arching foliage as important in the landscape as their flowers. They bloom best if given six hours of sun a day and enriched, moistureretentive soil. Plant in single colours in large sweeps for impact, or in groups in mixed borders, near water features and with ornamental grasses. • Fertilise summer-flowering bulbs once a month with Hadeco bulb food. Liliums like their heads in the sun and a cool root run, so spread a 10cm layer of mulch over the root area. Stake stems to avoid damage from wind and rain. • During the rainy season, elements are leached out and plants will need regular fertilising to replace these. Trees require more fertiliser than shrubs and they, in turn, need more fertiliser than perennials.