Aroundtown Magazine May June 2023 edition

HOME & GARDEN
The merry
month of May
With Garden Designer, Sally Cunis
This summer will see bunting and bedding in red,
white and blue decking out our parks and gardens
in celebration of the Coronation.
Once the decorations are
packed away, it is time to get busy
in the garden as it bursts into life and
enjoy this most glorious time of the
year when the swallows return, the
woods are carpeted with bluebells,
and trees and shrubs are suddenly
swamped in lush green leaves
or blossoms.
It is time to think about both
the ornamental and vegetable
gardens, to fill gaps and to keep on
top of weeds. Gaps in the border
can be filled with Alliums and tall
perennials whilst low clump forming
plants such as saxifrage, dianthus
and seathrift will thrive along the
edges. Plant out seedlings of pretty
flowers such as Cleome, Nigella and
Verbena bonariensis in tubs and
borders. Support sweet peas with
home-made wigwams of peasticks
and tie-in.
Rake bare patches in the border
to a fine tilth and sow flower seed in
drifts but remember to protect from
pigeons and cats until the seedlings
are through. Last year when we
Rose ‘Chapeau de Napoleon’
sowed our wild flower meadow
areas, seed was mixed with sand,
broadcast then carefully walked over
to give the seed good contact with
the soil. It also meant that the seed
was less visible to the birds and
firm enough not to be disturbed by
the cats!
I cannot imagine a garden in
summer without roses and have
gradually added masses to our
garden over the years, roses to
ramble, to scramble, to climb, for
borders and in pots, always scented
and exquisitely beautiful. Having
recently returned from visiting friends
in France (and of course a wonderful
plant nursery) I was thrilled to see in
bloom and for sale the roses of the
Meilland family, the famous French
rose breeders whose roses are
delicious in terms of shape, colour
and scent.
Whilst in France, I saw masses
of some of my favourite flowering
shrubs, trees and climbers which
I enjoy growing here in South
Yorkshire, the Judas tree (Cercis
siliquastrum) with its vivid pinkpurple
pea like flowers on bare
stems, Wisteria sinensis and
the fluffy pink Tamarix. Fields of
lavender were a hint of midsummer
yet to come.
As the days get longer and
hotter, top dress beds and pots to
conserve moisture. Water where
necessary early morning or late
evening using, where possible,
water butts and grey water from the
Cercis siliquastrum (Judas tree)
Lavender
kitchen. Damp down the floor of the
greenhouse to keep up the humidity,
opening vents to discourage red
spider mites.
In the vegetable garden, carry
on earthing up potatoes, weeding
between crops and thin out direct
sown vegetables such as lettuce
and spinach.
Support runner beans, French
beans and peas and keep wellwatered
in hot weather. As soft fruit
ripens, net bushes of redcurrant,
blackcurrant and raspberries
ensuring that the nets are taut so
that no birds get caught in them.
Protect strawberries by tucking straw
Redcurrants
Nigella (love-in-a-mist)
A variety of plants which appear during ‘No Mow May’
around the plants to lift the fruit off
the soil.
Whilst we cut our lawn
occasionally in March and April,
for the fourth year running we will
be practicing ‘No Mow May’ and
‘Let it Grow June’. This is helpful
to the beneficial insects, bees and
butterflies, looks attractive and it is
amazing what beautiful wildflowers
appear as if by magic, a tapestry
of colour alive with insects and
butterflies. Just by leaving a small
patch uncut or sowing a tub with
wild flower seeds, it can help
to provide nectar-rich plants for
beneficial insects.
Mossy saxifrage
Armeria maritima (sea thrift)
72 aroundtownmagazine.co.uk