Glorious June; how can anyone resist your delicious scents carried upon the warm breeze or the overwhelming colour from overflowing summer beds and containers.  The ground frosts should be behind us and at last we can shop with confidence for the bold and colourful exotic and tender plants that make such a statement in our gardens.  Here are just a few gardening ideas to keep your green space looking tip top . . . 

1. Now is the time to plant out Dahlias and Cannas and other more tender perennials for show stopping, late summer displays.

        

2. Keep and eye on new shoots (especially roses) for aphids. Pick off and squash by hand and treat with SB Invigorator where necessary.

3. Fill gaps in borders now with Cosmos, Osteospermums and other long and late flowering plants to prolong your season of colour.

      

4. Now the ground frosts are behind us, it's the perfect time to plant up summer hanging baskets and containers. We have a fantastic range of summer bedding and annuals, so get creative and mix things up with a selection of perennials too for unique and colourful planning combinations.

    

5.  Plant a tomato hanging basket.  This attractive and tasty display will crop all summer.

   

6. Keep pinching out the tips of Clematis, especially viticellas and tie them in as they grow.  This will encourage bushier growth with more flowers.  

    

7. Dead head Hybrid Tea's and Floribunda roses as the flowers go over to encourage repeat blooms through the summer.

8. Trim back and tie in grape vines to pergolas and fences as they grow to ensure maximum sunlight to the bunches of young fruit.

9. Check borders now to make sure tall and heavy perennials, such as Peonies, Delphiniums or Lupins are given the extra support they need to prevent them flopping or breaking in the breeze.

      

10. Thin out heavy apple crops to avoid the 'June drop' and to maximise the quality of your remaining fruit.  Look out for damaged or oddly formed fruit and remove these first.

11. Prune back early flowering shrubs, such as Spirea to improve shape and vigour for next year.

12.  Check for signs of powdery mildew.  Lonicera, Monarda, Centaurea, Phlox and Aster are particularly susceptible to mildew, which will cause patches of grey-white fungus to appear over leaves and stems.  To help avoid the problem, thin out any over crowed growth to improve air circulation and keep plants well watered in dry spells.

13. Add some 'Plant Companions', such as French Marigolds to your vegetable crops to attract bees and beneficial insects to help with pollination and pest control. 

     

14.  If you have visited any flower shows during May, you will have certainly been inspired by some exquisite and glorious blooms.  Fill that desire and come for a browse around the nursery, we are packed full of gardeners delights. Be sure to water new plants well before planting out and remember to also water throughout the summer to ensure good root establishment.

      

15. Don't let a lack of space stop you from enjoying fresh vegetables, salads and herbs.  An amazing number can be grown in large pots, hanging baskets and window boxes in a bright and sunny area.  Pick out a fab selection and plant into our fruit and veg compost for great results.

     

16.  Look after spring-flowering shrubs, such as Rhododendrons, Camellias and Magnolias now for a magnificent spectacle next year.  Deadhead after flowering to prevent the plant using its energy producing seeds.  Feed regularly to boost the plants strength and mulch to maintain soil moisture levels and keep the roots cool and finally, keep the roots well watered throughout summer, as dry roots can seriously affect the flower bud development.

        

17.  Make a succulent display for a touch of the exotic in a bright and sunny area of the garden.  Tender succulents, such as Aeoniums can now be kept outdoors and make attractive displays in pots.  

18. Hoe annual weeds to keep your beds and borders looking their best, so you can sit back and enjoy all the colour, tastes and scents it has to offer.

19.  If you're super busy, and can't get down to Langthorns during the day, then come and visit us on 28th June between 6pm and 9pm, when we're be open for late-night shopping.  Enjoy a more relaxed browse and specials offers available only during this time.