Vegetables to plant before autumn: Growing onions, lettuce

Prepare ground to plant bulbs of anemone, brodiaea, calla lily, freesia, hyacinth, ixia, lachenalia, muscari, narcissus, ranunculus, scilla, sparaxis, tritelia, tritonia and watsonia.

Plant lily of the valley pips in a moist, semi- shaded spot for a nice display of delicate white, bell shaped flowers in spring.

If you have plants that have died recently in the garden from the heat resolve the problem by replacing them with hardier ones that can cope with the harsh conditions.

Often the emphasis is on bright coloured flowers and decorative foliage plantings in the garden but don't overlook the importance white flowers play.

White flowers can be a contrast against strong coloured flowers and is very useful to bring in subtle colour changes when mixed with pale pinks, lavender and yellow.

White can stand out too and is very effective in guiding the eyes through the garden or to draw them to a specific feature.

If bearded iris flowers have been a disappointment check the position as they need full sun in a well drained soil to perform at their best.

If this is not the problem it could be that the rhizomes have become crowded and need to be divided after flowering has finished.

The old roots which are easily seen are removed and the new roots, which are white in colour, are retained and replanted.

Plant the rhizomes on top of the ground, burying the roots. The soil should ideally be prepared by deep digging and working in aged compost.

To remove a limb from a tree cut it off at a joint flush with the trunk or flush with the lines of whatever limb it stems from.

If a stub is left the tree cannot heal which results in the stub decaying and providing an avenue for disease organisms to enter the tree.

Small twigs or twig tips on the other hand may be cut off almost anywhere such when we trim a hedge as they contain embryonic tissue and will usually send out clusters of new shoots below the cut.

For large pruning jobs always consult an arborist.

Ornithogalums are bulbous, clump forming perennials with flower spikes adorned with distinctive star-like white blooms and grow happily in well drained, loamy soil in an open, sunny position.

These little gems, related to hyacinths and commonly called star of Bethlehem, can be lifted and divided every three years.