GARDEN TREASURES RHS ROSEMOOR
Magically blending formal and informal areas over 65 acres, RHS Rosemoor is a colourful delight in the summer months. Nestled in the Torridge Valley in Devon, and with thousands of plants from all over the world, there are many areas to enjoy. Its iconic Hot Garden reaches its peak at this time of year, with waves of vibrant, fiery blooms and prairie-style planting, while in contrast, the rose gardens, with their soft pastel shades, are romantic, fragrance-filled heady havens. It is now open for pre-booked visits. (Tel: 01805 626810; rhs.org. uk/gardens/rosemoor)
FUTURE PROOFING
Make it your lockdown mission to get planning ahead in the garden. No seed should go unsown, nor plot left unloved with the aid of the five-year garden planner from Fraser & Parsley. The hard-wearing, leather-bound book, £45, will age beautifully over time as you jot down your ideas, and with sections for monthly jobs to flowering and harvesting trackers, order will reign.
WHAT: Sweet alyssum and swiss chard WHY: This is a pretty, mutually beneficial combination: the chard’s large, cut-and-come-again leaves and bright, colourful stalks, set off against the delicate, low-growing white flowers of this annual. The shallow roots of drought-tolerant sweet alyssum do not compete with the deeper growing roots of the vegetable, and with its low-growing habit, the sweet alyssum acts as a living mulch, shading the soil and helping it retain moisture, with the added benefit of reducing the need for weeding. The edible flowers – a peppery addition to a salad - attract beneficial insects to feed on aphids. PLANTING: Sow sweet alyssum in well-raked soil about 5cm apart, from early spring to early summer, between rows of chard, and they will flower from June to October.
ON THE BOOKSHELF Inspiring us to notice something new in the natural world daily,
by Andy Beer (£12.99, National Trust Books/pavilion) encourages us to venture out into the garden or further afield to admire all around us. Whether it’s listening out for the sounds of grasshoppers, or noticing the sweet smell of honeysuckle, refer to this tome for a refreshing perspective.