May Gardening Guide
Ah, May! The month of first BBQs, alliums and Chelsea Flower Show. I’m always sad to see Spring go but the foxgloves distract me just enough to not feel it too deeply. One of my all time favourite flowers is the foxglove even though it goes against many of my usual beliefs I just can’t help myself…
Foxgloves flower just the once in a year usually with only one flower spike, they’re poisonous to many animals if eaten, they’re also not scented BUT I simply can’t help myself. One particular variety I fell in love with a few years ago was Digitalis ‘Silver Fox’ as she has it all – zesty lime flower buds that turn to dainty white, silvery slightly furry foliage and she’s a perennial, none of this biennial nonsense for her. An absolute beauty.
As for my favourite foxglove planting combo, it has to be foxgloves and alliums. They are simply a match made in visual heaven for me. A planting combination that I discovered last year that stole my heart was Digitalis ‘Suttons Apricot’ with Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ – powerful purple punch from the allium with long, slender spikes of delicate apricot flowers from the foxglove. Not only are they beautifully matched for their flower colours, but we also have the flower forms to consider within planting design. Having a good mix of flower shapes within a border is key to creating a cohesive yet interesting effect and these two do just that.
Sllium ‘Pureple Sensation’ and Digitalis ‘Suttons Apricot’ planting combination
You may not be a foxglove lover like me, and if not, what is your favourite flower? Or maybe top 3? Or do they change throughout the year? (guilty as charged)! I’d love to know.
In the meantime, for those sunny evening wanders in your garden, here are some things that you can be getting on with…
Take Stock (not the flowers)
It's a good idea to take a moment each month to consider whether there’s enough going on in your garden or is there something that needs to be added? You can sometimes find yourself with an abundance of flowers and foliage in June and borders filled to the brim in September but there can be the odd unintentional month throughout the year that hasn’t got much going on. You always want something flowering in your garden for the pollinators as well as yourself – is it time to pop down to the garden centre to pick something up? If so, remember repetition and multiples. It’s better to buy 9 of the same plant to dot in 3’s around your garden than 9 different plants that will visually get lost.
Rose ‘Koko Loko’ first flower this year
Water pots
Now’s the time to be mindful of those trees, shrubs and mixed planters to ensure they’re not getting too dry. I try to stick to having slightly larger planters in my garden to reduce the frequency of watering required. Small pots can dry out so much quicker so having fewer, larger planters is a good plan.
Trim new shoots of variegated shrubs
If you’ve got variegated shrubs in your garden, you may notice that some shoots will start to grow that aren’t variegated at all and look out of place. If you spot them, trim them off or alternatively embrace the unusual and leave them there to become their own feature.
Tie in climbing shoots
Your clematis will likely be putting on a lot of growth at the moment with this recent sun we’ve had so be sure to tie in the shoots to whatever you have it growing up to ensure it stays secure and healthy.
Start your pumpkins and winter squash from seed
I know it’s much too early to start talking about the joys of the autumn (however much I want to!) but it is time to start thinking about it. If you want to grow your streets biggest pumpkin or fancy some unusually shaped and coloured squashes this year, now is the time to start getting those seeds in. Either start off in pots or wait a little longer and pop the seeds straight in prepared ground. When you sow the seed, be sure to pop it in the compost on it’s side, as if laid flat they can sometimes get too waterlogged and not grow. If you’ve had success with a specific variety in the past, do let me know in the comments so that I can look at growing it myself!
If you’re around in the Grimsby area on Saturday 1st June, be sure to pop along to the 2nd annual ‘Great Scartho SeedLING Swap’ event I’m holding. You’ll find further details on Instagram or just pop me a message and remember ‘Bring what you can and take what you need’.
I hope you’ve managed to give yourself a moment to enjoy this sunshine we’ve had and if not, make sure you do when the next batch comes around. Don’t think of your garden as hard work, just get out there and enjoy it!