Garden Thoughts

It’s August ostensibly the hottest month of the year so many plants flowering now are the brilliant fiery colours of heat ranging from yellow, orange, red and pink. They use bright colours to attract insects to visit the flowers.

Summer Temperatures entice us to spend time outdoors so we then become more aware of our surroundings and for the lucky ones our first encounter is our own garden. We see the colour and beauty but our other senses are also stimulated with fragrance, touch and sound helping us to feel relaxed and happy. Today our busy lives demand we take some time out so here are a few plants to help achieve a garden Shangri La.

Annual climbers are exotic colourful plants that grow quickly to transform a new garden, hide unsightly areas or add extra colour to existing fences, arches, pergolas or obelisks all in one summer. They have the capacity to germinate, grow vigorously, flower generously and set seed within a few months.

Last month we talked about planting our tubs for summer colour with bedding plants. This month let’s look at a few special plants that can decorate the patio all Summer and into Autumn. Some will flower until late November providing colour for seven months of the year.

April is the month when we start to think about the garden in summer. It becomes an extension of our living space as the temperature rises and we are drawn to live more outdoors socializing with friends playing with the kids or just relaxing. Like the house the garden needs decorating to enhance this experience and reflect our personality.

No matter how large or small your garden if you love food, cooking and growing things what can be better than growing your own fresh Veg, Herbs and Fruit. You can grow a lot in POTS. Carefully select the varieties to grow to maximize the quality, flavours and yield and of course only grow the things you really like. Here are some tried and tested varieties to try.

British wildlife is being threatened even more by the unseasonal weather patterns that we are experiencing.

January although the middle of winter is the new start to the gardening year.  Although the days are cold and often dull with little sunshine there can still be lots of plants to brighten the borders with colourful stems, evergreen foliage and even some that actually flower at this time of year.

Evergreen trees like Fir and Pine were decorated outside or on the threshold of a home with fruit and sweetmeats. They were thought to ward away evil spirits who collected the offerings and went away. I think it was actually the birds enjoying this winter treat.

Roses are the nations favourite flower and have captivated human hearts for centuries serving as symbols of passion, beauty, and love.  The genus has over 150 species including shrubs, perennials and climbers that were originally cultivated in North America, Europe, North Africa and Asia.

The Patio Tubs that have provided a colourful display all summer are now looking tired and overgrown so it’s time to replant them with Autumn and Winter colour.

As the days shorten, the weather cools and our tubs and hanging baskets are starting to look tired its time to fill them again with colour.