Make successive sowings of peas, beans, sweet corn and carrots for a continued supply.
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In the ornamental garden plant alyssum, nasturtiums, marigolds, impatiens, lobelia, tuberous begonias, carnations, Livingstone daisies, cosmos, coleus, dahlias, foxgloves, hollyhocks, delphiniums, aquilegias, pansies, poppies, snapdragons, sweet peas, cinerarias, zinnias, nigella, forget-me-nots, salvias, gypsophlia, sweet william, larkspur and verbena.
Celosias are perfect for brightening up the summer garden with flower colours in vibrant red, yellow, scarlet and orange.
Dying art
Die-back in plants generally causes the death on the tips of shoots or of entire branches, rather than the whole plant.
It can be the result of damage by frost, drying out of the tissues, waterlogging, the effect of chemicals or attack by fungi, bacteria or insect pests.
The possible causes of die-back are of use when deciding what preventive measures need to be taken.
When the damage has occurred already the shoot or branch should be cut back to a point where the tissues appear to be healthy and, especially with fruit trees and shrubs, the wounds protected by a coating of one of the proprietary fungicide paints.
Perfumed pairing
Two plants that give the garden an extra dimension with their evocative perfume are Jasmine officinale and Philadelphus.
In summer the twinning green stems of Jasmine officinale burst forth with small star-like pure white flowers.
The Philadelphus, or mock orange, a deciduous shrub produces loose clusters of white/cream flowers in single, semi-double or double forms.
Philadelphus Manteau d’Hermine is a dwarf variety successfully used as a groundcover.
Tree planning
Before planting any large shrub or tree try to visualise it at its expected height and spread when fully grown before you choose its position.
It is ignorance that people plant tall shrubs and trees under overhead power lines. Look up before you plant.
At the same time note the sunny and cold spots, the most fertile and the poorest soils and just how the wind enters and leaves the garden areas.
All this is invaluable when planning a garden.
De-lightful
Physalis franchetii is a small ornamental shrub grown for its luminous bright orange to red papery covering that protects the inside fruit that hangs from the branches like tiny Chinese lanterns.
In summer it’s adorned with small, bell-shaped white flowers.
First introduced into England from Japan in 1594, this rhizomatous perennial will quickly naturalise in the garden. Very popular plant for dried floral arrangements.