The Summer arrived without too much fuss and no frost to speak of. Where we committed to keeping plants alive, things have grown albeit slowly and gardens do show potential, indeed through June I visited some delightful gardens on the Open Gardens Scheme. The curse of the early part of June was the dry, the rain teased and the clouds it seems opted for Red Sea moments, parting over Gloucester only to rush past us to the north and south.

For me one of the highlights of June has been the amazing performance of the Ermine Moth caterpillar, which has been everywhere. A voracious feeder most regularly found colonising trees, it strips plants almost completely of leaves and all under a veil of white silken web, all of this in a rush and without much warning. If you have spotted trees and hedgerows covered in webbing the Ermine caterpillar has been the culprit. The plants will recover without spraying, so don’t get trigger happy, just marvel at the ingenuity, that web is just to ward off predators.

The month ahead is going to be very much about maintenance, feeding, watering, dead heading and harvesting, just to encourage our gardens to give of their best. You can also be doing a bit of pruning, especially on subjects that have romped. Rambling Roses and some honeysuckles have been particularly boisterous. Whilst on the rounds do watch out for the need to tie or support plants too.

If you are in the mood for seed sowing, then this is the month for biennials (that’s subject that normally take two seasons to come up with the goods). Wallflowers and Sweet Williams will be top of my list, but forget me nots, Brompton stocks, foxgloves and hollyhocks are all worthy of consideration. Look at Verbascums too, particularly compact forms, they are a delight.

On the vegetable front, continue with salad sowing, perpetual Spinach and try a handful of Runner Bean seeds, which will extend your harvest. If you want veg plants, hardy winter cabbages will do well. (Savoy and January King). Next month will see garden centres offering spring bulbs and if you get a dull day, do check out new varieties.

And finally, after a dry start, potatoes have been slow to put on weight, so be as patient as you can in lifting earlies, everyday will see the crop bulk up.

Happy Gardening

Chris Evans
www.dundrynurseries.co.uk
www.thebutterflygarden.org