We love for … - James Alexander-Sinclair

We loveJuly for ……for being the perfectmonth for the lawnmowerto break down, letting you lieback and enjoy the sunshine(and my birthday). This is atime that should be relativelyrelaxing, like a short rest in a17-course meal. The thrills ofspring and early summer arebehind us and we have yetto begin the graceful swandive into autumn. Words byJames Alexander-SinclairCATCH UP WITH JAMES inhis weekly Gardeners’ Worldblog at www.gardenersworld.com16 www.gardenersworld.comJuly 2008

Tangerine dreamEvery single petal of Coreopsis ‘Limerock Dream’carries the vivid colours of a tequila sunrise. Flushedpinks drift through speckled yellows and soft orangeuntil they slide to a stop at a central boss that’s stuckwith brown stars like a clove-studded tangerine.DETAILS Sow seed in situ in the early spring to early summer • Watch out forscavenging slugs – coffee grounds or eggshells can help • Grows to 60cmPHOTO: richard bloom/bloom picturesJuly 2008www.gardenersworld.com 17

GreeneyesLeaves, of course,come in every shadeof green, but it isso unexpected inflowers. Nicotiana‘Lime Green’ is sucha brilliant shrill green– one that enlivensevery combinationin border and vase.Nicotiana ‘Lime Green’DETAILS A scented annual• Sow under glass in mid-springand prick on into larger pots• Plant out when frost haspassed • Grows to 1.5mSilybum marianumCalendula officinalisPHOTOs: andrea jones; gap photos/julie pigula, pernillabergdahl, Jo whitworth, richard bloom; clive nicholsCalendula girlYes, it’s a marigold. But to compare this toan ordinary marigold is to liken a ballerina toa bullfrog. Calendula officinalis is superiorin colour and shape and useful grownamong salads because it attracts hoverflies.DETAILS Sow under glass in autumn or early spring• Sow directly into the ground between April and May• Deadhead regularly throughout the summer • Grows to 70cmEryngium planum ‘Tetra Petra’18 www.gardenersworld.com

We love JulyEchinops bannaticus ‘Taplow Blue’Cirsium heterophyllumThistle while you workIn the fields (especiallyif wearing shorts) youwill encounter thistles.Many of them, in fact,generously spreadingtheir seeds to all theneighbouring gardensas if they were scatteringfairy dust rather thanpernicious weeds. Thereare, however, manydomesticated thistles thatare not so promiscuousin their habits and whichwill provide somewonderfully sculpturalshapes for your garden.Silybum marianumSchoolboys giggle at its name• Variegated foliage • Sow in situ latespring, early summer • Reaches 1.5mEchinops bannaticus‘Taplow Blue’Flowers resemble perfectly rolledsteel-blue hedgehogs • Sow seedin mid-spring and divide from autumnto spring • Grows to 1.2mCirsium heterophyllumAlso known as the melancholy thistle,it will always cheer you up • Lovelysilver leaves • Sow seed in spring ordivide in winter • Grows to 1mEryngium planum ‘Tetra Petra’A delicate-stemmed yet robust plant• Best in free-draining soil• Propagate from root cuttingsin winter • Reaches 90cmwww.gardenersworld.com 19

We love JulyLavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’Lavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’Lavandula ‘Rocky Road’Lavenderand laceEverybody loves lavender.From grey-haired granniesstrewing lavender-scentedbags through their drawersto stressed executivesrecuperating in lavender oilbaths. Paths are edged withlavender and holidays aretaken among lavender fieldson the arid slopes of Provence.Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’Bees love it and every part of theplant is scented • Propagate fromsemi-ripe cuttings in summer • Deadheadafter flowering and cut back in spring• Grows to 60cmLavandula stoechas ‘Kew Red’Flowers early and is recognisable from itsrabbit ears • Less hardy than angustifoliaso not good in cold areas • Sow seed ina cold frame in spring • Grows to 40cmLavandula ‘Rocky Road’Needs full sun and a well-drained soilto flourish • Very upright so good in smallgardens or in a pot • Grows to 50cmBergamotme-notI love monardas almostas much as I love warmdoughnuts and sunshineelbowing its way throughthe morning mist. This oneis the blood-red Monarda‘Squaw’ (there are othersin pink and mauve), whosejutting blooms resemblea convocation ofconfused cockerels.DETAILS Water well in hot summersto ward off mildew • Propagate fromseed in autumn and from basalcuttings in spring • Smells like EarlGrey tea • Grows to 90cmMonarda ‘Squaw’101 Bold andBeautiful FlowersThere is nothing more stunning than a garden bursting with colour. whether youwant glorious borders or striking pots, Gardeners’ World 101 Bold and BeautifulFlowers is full of plant ideas and maintenance tips. grouped by colour andwith expert advice on each flower, you can find the perfect plant combinationsfor your garden. with opulent photography accompanying every suggestion, thislittle book is a wonderful inspiration for all gardeners.Gardeners’ World Magazine is britain’s biggest-selling gardening magazine,providing fresh ideas and clear advice every month.Find out more at www.gardenersworld.comFront cover photograph by Jason ingram © bbc worldwide 2008back cover photographs (left to right) by ray cox, Tim sanda l andsabina ruber © bbc worldwide 2008I S B N 978-1-846-07447-99 7 8 1 8 4 6 0 7 4 4 7 9101 Bold andBeautiful FlowersYou’ll love this, too…If, like us, you’re a fan of James’swriting, you’ll love his latestbook, 101 Bold and BeautifulFlowers (BBC Books, £4.99).It’s one of four new Gardeners’World Magazine pocket booksthat will help you find the perfectplants for your garden. To orderyour copy for £4.50 inc p&p,call 0870 350 6091 or visitwww.efcbooks.co.uk.101 Bold andBeautiful FlowersidEas FOr YEar-rOund cOlOurPHOTOs: bloom pictures; gap photos/neil holmes20 www.gardenersworld.comJuly 2008