With lockdown gardening being very much of the zeitgeist, I thought a few thoughts on current garden activity might be in of interest. The late August/early September garden is reaching a crescendo of colour – little room for timidity on the colour spectrum with the bright and burnt oranges of Heleniums, zingy yellows of Rudbeckias and Helianthus and the kaleidoscope of Dahlia shades reaching their apogee. The lowering angle of the sun at this time casts a glorious quality of light on carefully positioned and backlit grasses, with taller Asters, filigree Verbena Bonariensis and some late flowering fennel heads dancing through.
For those clients more averse to this acidity of colour, the blues, purples and pinks of the other half of the colour wheel can be achieved by careful deadheading of roses and judicious use of salvias and late flowering annuals such as paler Calendula ‘Snow Princess’, Nasturtium ‘Milkmaid’ or Cosmos. Some of the polyanthus roses such as ‘Ballerina’ or ‘Fairy’ with plentiful smaller multi-heads, are flowering strongly now and make a beautiful pinky punctuation mark in borders made airy by catmint, cut back earlier in the year, and the last of the geraniums. Geranium Rozanne or its smaller relative, ‘Azure Rush’, being sterile varieties, will continue to flower until the first frosts.
At this time of the year, the avid gardener, eager to progress plans for new improved borders next year, has to firmly sit on their hands and resist the temptation to cut down early or tidy up too soon. There is much beauty yet to be enjoyed, and much wildlife needing protection still before going into winter hibernation. Planning can still be done: there are bulbs to be ordered and this is a job that rewards careful consideration. Daffodil varieties are myriad: it is easy to choose some that will add colour when much else is lacking, but worth finding varieties that will not overwhelm with strappiness in their demise. My current favourite is Narcissus Thalia, a double headed white daffodil, beautifully fragrant, yet with relatively small leaves. I like this underplanted with tiny Anemone blanda, cheap as chips, but flowering its socks off for several months with ferny foliage which obligingly disappears completely when finished.
Then there are tulip colours and combinations, whether to go for lily flowered, peony flowered, or double flowered, and with what to underplant. I love the jaunty ‘Dolls minuet’ and its new relative ‘Love dance’ underplanted with forget-me-nots, but am also excited by the new softer yellows such as ‘Verona’ mixed with blue muscari.
I’m also ordering bare-root plants. This is a cheaper way of ordering certain plants such as roses, trees and hedging species during the dormant season. They will arrive literally as naked rootballs in need of soaking and planting. I have ordered several fruit trees for clients including some trained varieties such as cordoned and espaliered to add productive interest to walls and fences.
Much to do, but don’t forget the cuttings. For those who have indoor space or windowsills, this is the last chance for salvia, penstemon and pelargonium cuttings. Most of these root willingly given free draining soil and a warm position out of direct sun. Plants for free – what’s not to like?
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