GARDEN TREASURES HIDCOTE
Created by American horticulturist Major Lawrence Johnston, this colourful Arts and Crafts garden in the Cotswolds is begging to be explored – its maze of narrow paved pathways revealing secret gardens and floriferous planting. Arranged into distinct ‘rooms’, which reach their peak at different times of year, you will have a new experience in each. It’s the perfect place for gardening inspiration with a multitude of rare trees and shrubs, wildflower areas, magnificent vistas and artistic compositions. Once your head is swimming with ideas from the beautiful gardens, venture into the Wilderness, a secluded stretch of tall trees, for a quiet spot to sit and think. (nationaltrust.org.uk/hidcote)
Keep on top of weeds without damaging your summer border blooms, with the Hawkesbury hand rake, £12, Garden Trading
CREATE A BUZZ
Remind yourself of some bee-friendly flower choices for the garden as you dry up the dishes, with this teatowel from Poppy Treffry, £10.50.
WHAT: Garlic chives with carrot WHY: July is generally the last month to sow carrots for an autumn crop. Planting them alongside strong-smelling companions, such as fragrant garlic chives, helps to deter pests by confusing them when they are looking for their host plant, while pollinators love the chives’ decorative, oldfashioned rose-scented white flowers – which are also edible – helping to increase vegetable yields. Garlic chives are also believed to increase the length and flavour of carrots when they are planted in close proximity to them.
PLANTING: Sow garlic chives direct in the ground in a shallow drill from April to August. They will flower until late autumn.
Find local growers and garden centres offering home delivery to help you continue the joy of gardening, with Plants Near Me, a new website launched by the Horticultural Trades Association (plantsnearme.hta.org.uk)
ON THE BOOKSHELF Potted plants can transform the smallest and dullest of spaces, create themes, or change the seasonal feel and focus of an area, explains Tom Harris in his new book
(£20, Pimpernel Press). Offering inspiration for container displays, and the pros and cons of different plant choices, he shares how to combine temporary and permanent plantings for new interest.