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Weather Problems!

Summer seems very slow to settle this year and for gardeners it has been a very difficult few months, firstly with water sodden ground, a devastating frost then some very dry spells. Despite this most plants are looking very good this year, and many which were so badly affected by the bad frost are either shooting again from the ground, or are sending out new foliage. As the ground is actually rather dry now it is very important to water plants which have been damaged or are newly planted so they do not get dry. It is better to give the plants a real drenching twice a week than a little every day. Also any plants which are looking rather yellow should be given a high nitrogen feed as it seems that in many places nutrients have been washed from the soil.

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Hedges

Looking ahead to the autumn when new hedges can be planted, if you know you need a hedge but are unsure what variety, now is a good time to have a look at various options available. There are many sample hedges at the Garden Centre and we are always happy to take anyone on a 'hedges tour'. This week there has been a constant drone from the hedge trimmer doing its rounds, or the more gentle noise of the shears trimming away at the smaller hedges. We have the following hedges - some newly planted and some mature:-

Alder - Common, Grey and Italian, Alpine Currant, Amelanchier Lamarckii, Beech - Green and Purple, Berberis - Darwinii, Purple and Stenophylla, Box - Common and Variegated, Cotoneaster Lacteus and Simonsii, Dogwood - Red stemmed, Yellow stemmed and Black stemmed, Escallonia Donard Seedling, Elaeagnus Ebbingei, Euonymous - Gold and Silver, Field Maple, Flowering Currant (King Edward VII), Forsythia, Guelder Rose, Holly - Green (Red & Yellow Berried), Honeysuckle and Golden Honeysuckle, Hornbeam, Laurel - Green or Spotted, Leyland Cypress Gold and Green, Leyland Cypress mixed with Red Alder, Mixed Native Hedging - with many different species inplanted with Quickthorn and Blackthorn, Oak Common and Red, Philadephus Coronarius, Potentilla Fruticosa, Plum Purple Blaze, Privet Golden, Pyracantha, Robinia Pseudoacacia, Rose hedges - Hansa, Roseraie de L'Hay, Scotch Rose and Sweet Briar, Santolina, Snowberry, Spiraea, White, Tapestry Hedge, Thuja Plicata Atrovirens, Wayfaring Tree, Willow - double planted - Golden and Osier, Yew - English, Golden, Hicksii and Brownii.

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Beech Aphids

A quick word of advice on hedges - if you have a newly planted beech hedge do go and check that it is not being attacked by beech aphids. These little 'beasties' are not apparent at first as they are to be found on the undersides of the leaves, but they can do a lot of damage, even killing the plants if they are not cleared. For those who do not mind using a chemical to deal with them any general insecticide such as Bug Clear (formerly Sybol) or Bug Gun should be effective, but as they can be quite persistent you may have to spray several times, making sure you drench the undersides of the leaves. At the moment we do not have any 'natural' combatant, but very shortly we shall have the Just Green range of biological products which are based upon sustainable raw materials from the marine and natural insect environment. Once the hedge has matured a little beech aphid will not be a problem, as although it will still get it natural predators will keep it in check and no human intervention will be necessary.

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New Plants

Back to the present - if you are wanting some new plants for your garden we have some rather good looking plants to tempt you. In our lavender display you will find Lavandula stoechus Tickled Pink with its deep pink flowers with lighter flags, and Regal Splendour with violet blue flowers and long purple violet flags. The roses are now all coming into flower so it is a good time to choose any new ones you want. The Renaissance shrub roses are worth looking at as they are (allegedly!) disease resistant. Also there are some usefully named roses now such as Golden or Silver Wedding or just Warm Wishes.

There is a good choice of clematis at the moment and they seem to be loving this odd weather we are experiencing. They vary from the bold types such as Josephine with her enormous pom pon flowers to the delicate highly scented flowers of Aromatica. Amongst the perennials the Hemerocallis are just coming into flower and the Hostas are looking good. For an outstanding feature perennial Knipophia Yellow Cheer will stand out well with its dark yellow 'pokers' in the autumn which can reach 5 foot high.

For those who cannot resist blue and have a warm sunny position in the garden with well drained soil, then Meconopsis betonicifolia or grandis will be outstanding with their single blue flowers. Another striking flower is Papaver commutatum Lady Bird, with the bright red poppy flowers with four distinctive black spots.

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Furniture

Away from plants to other aspects of the garden. Now summer is at last with us it is good to sit out and relax on some comfortable furniture. For wooden furniture which has been designed for real comfort, I personally do not think one can fault the Alexander Rose range with their curved backs which seem to mould into the back giving support to the aching back after all the weeding and tending of plants in the garden. Another very popular seat this year is the Provincial Swing Seat and this can be made to be a real focal point in the Garden. It is a wooden arbour with roof and a comfortable wooden swing seat. At £350 it is not a cheap item, but given the right landscaping around it you would not regret your investment.

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Aquatics News

If you are fortunate enough to have a pond in your garden and are wanting to add some more fish, we have some beautiful Spanish Goldfish in stock which are a very deep red and have long flowing tails. Or if you are looking for something a little different then why not try some golden tench for the bottom of your pond.

In the Aquatics area at the moment the regular display of indoor aquarium plants is back fully stocked, and there are lots of tropical fish available as well as cold water fish. For those who visit regularly we need your help. We are sure you are all familiar with our two large Koi: The large white one has been aptly named Blue Eyes but the Ghost is still nameless. Please let us have suggestions when you come to visit them!

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Chenies Manor Plant Fair

A date for your diaries - July 22nd Chenies Plant Fair. Chenies Manor is well worth visiting, but to go on the day of the plant fair is a double bonus. Chenies is between Chorleywood and Little Chalfont. The fair is open from 10am to 5pm and you will find there rare and exceptional plants, topiary and trees from specialist nurseries, pottery, antique garden tools, garden furniture and gardening books. There will be gardening and plant advice centre, a scarecrow competition and children's entertainment. There is an entrance fee of £4, with children under 15 at half price, but it will be money very well spent!

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