June is a month when there is so much in flower so here are a few of my favourites to plant in your garden.
For those with free draining soil in sun then the fleeting heads of Alliums are worth growing. They come in small and large heads of mainly pink and purple flowers. I suggest your plant in groups amongst low growing perennials such as Nepeta or Catmint, for best effect.
For ground cover I would choose the low growing Osteospermums such as Whirligig which is covered in pink flowers over a long period in summer. It can die back in severe winters but if you have a well drained soil in sun and want a plant to cover a large area by its creeping stems then this is one for you. Grow it alongside the silvery leaved, low growing evergreen shrub Convolvulus cneorum with white flowers in summer. However, it is tender and will die off in cold winters in an exposed position so grow it somewhere sheltered.
June is a good month for other shrubs so look out for Spirea Golden Princess with its gorgeous orangey leaves and flashy cerise pink flower heads in June. It will grow in most soils provided it is in a sunny position. If it’s scent you want then Philadelphus Belle Etoile will fill a small garden with a lovely fragrance. It will grow on light or heavy soils and if it becomes too large then cut it back hard after flowering.
Clip back Cytisus or Brooms, Aubretia and spring flowering heathers with shears after flowering. Plant out small plants of cabbages, broccoli and leeks to grow on for winter. Make extra plantings of French Beans, and even courgettes to prolong the season. Don’t forget to earth up your potatoes.
If you would like to visit gardens, I suggest you look out for gardens open under the National Gardens Scheme where all proceeds go to charities including Marie Cure Cancer Care and Macmillan Cancer Support. Go to www.ngs.org.uk for full details of opening.
Visit Bowmere Cottage in Tarporley on Sunday 21st June to see roses and clematis growing in this beautiful English country garden with courtyards, pergola and abundant herbaceous borders. Also open on 6th and 7th June is Bank House in Bickerton. This has terraces with borders stocked with shrubs, trees and herbaceous plants plus ponds and a wild garden.