IF YOU HAVE OUTDOOR SPACE

Got a garden or balcony? We asked Amanda Brame, horticulture director at Petersham Nurseries, how to create a green oasis that Charlie Dimmock would be proud of

THE BOUJEE BALCONY

Working with a small area? Climbing plants are perfect for balconies and patios. These can even be purchased on frames, creating instant privacy. If you have a sunny spot, plant something like the evergreen Trachelospermum jasminoides. It will add drama to any small space, and by planting it in a large container or raised bed and underplanting with seasonal plants, you’ll enjoy the blooms close up.

THE MAMMA-MIAINSPIRED GARDEN

Bit more room to play with? Fill your borders with bold Hydrangea arborescens “Annabelle”. Blooming oversized, billowy flowers, hydrangeas will instantly give your garden a taste of Mediterranean sunshine, no matter what the British summer throws at us. Oh, and the bees will definitely thank you for it.

THE VEGETABLE PATCH

If you fancy growing your own produce, sow some seeds now, ready for a September harvest. For lettuce or other salad leaves, choose a semi-shaded position and sow your seeds after a gentle watering or an evening rainfall. Opt for favourites like beetroot, fennel, French beans and peas and pop them into a wellprepared patch of ground. They’ll even thrive on a balcony in a deep container, if you have good-quality compost and you’re prepared to water them twice daily.