Gardening
In The Garden
with John Ladlow - professional gardener and Estate Manager for over 50 years
EVERYTHING in the garden in May is growing at its fastest and there is more colour in most gardens in this month than at any other time.
gardening show in the world is held in May, the Chelsea Flower Show.
The show is now widely covered on television but it is something that all gardeners should visit at least once in their lifetime. I used to go regularly when it was not far for me to do so, there was always something exciting about it. Of course flowers that are on show at these events are timed to be at their best, and the designs and layouts that we see are not often achievable to most of us back in our own gardens, but it is the inspiration that we get seeing amazing colour and ideas that is so important. Many flowering trees and shrubs are at their best in
That is why the most prestigious Clematis montana on a pergola
May, the spring bulbs are over, and it is time for blossom. Fruit trees, many of which belong to the Prunus family, give us lots of choice for colour. If you have room for only one flowering tree in the garden you are likely to pick a variety of Prunus. Today there are many options for size and colour to suit any sized garden as there have been so many introductions of traditional flowering trees including fruiting ones. It is possible to plant at any time of the year provided the conditions are right. When planting a bare rooted tree it needs to be done in the dormant season, but those in pots can be planted throughout the year. The important thing is to prepare the planting hole carefully. The larger the hole the more chance you will have of success. If the ground is hard get help to dig the hole or hire in a mechanical digger if you have lots to plant. I have proved it time and again about digging large holes for planting trees, many times I have created banks as a feature and when trees, and shrubs have been planted on to new areas of loose soil they have romped away. Container grown plants are likely to have a very tight restricted root ball. Thoroughly soak this root ball and gently tease out as many root fibres as possible before planting, otherwise the roots have a job to get established and just remain in a tight ball. Avoid stakes if you can but larger trees will require some support for the first few years, often a short stake low down to stop the root ball from moving will suffice. Brooms in many colours are a source of delight now, their one drawback being their fairly short life; plant in threes for effect if you have room.
so versatile, flowering for most of the year, and can be trained on trees and fences. C. montana varieties are very vigorous for late spring, useful on a pergola, C. tangutica varieties have smaller bright yellow flowers and will
6 Clematis are an absolute must for a garden as they are
Cytisus Burkwoodii (Broom)
Japanese cherries in Japan
cover literally anything and are at their best in late summer but have the advantage of silver seed heads throughout the winter.
I was looking in my old photos for a Japanese cherry, when my friend in Japan sent me some of the trees in his local park.
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