June in the Garden 2013
June is generally the sunniest month of the year and often the driest, though with the weather we have had in May being more like April with rain and cold it may be more like early summer than ‘Flaming June’
Early flowering perennials can be trimmed back and Primroses and their close early flowered relatives can be lifted and divided. Water them in well after planting to encourage new root growth.
Take care with watering under glass as water on foliage during the height of the day can damage some plants. Water the floors of glasshouses to increase the humidity and reduce midday temperatures.
Sow hardy perennials outside or in a glasshouse depending on what their germination requirements are.
Spring flower bulbs can be lifted now and stored before planting later in the year
Shrubs such as Deutzia and some Spiraea can be trimmed after flowering. Shoots that grow now will have flower buds next year. Trim back Cytisus, make sure only the young growth is touched as they do not respond to pruning into old wood.
Trim Escallonia hedges now for a flush of growth that will generally flower
There is a great deal of work to be done this month in the fruit garden what with tying in the berries and pruning of Blackcuurrants when the fruit has been picked.
Prune vines and tie them in to wires.
Rhododendrons are shallow rooting so check newly planted specimens to make sure they remain moist.
Maintain a circle of bare soil around newly planted trees and shrubs. This allows you to feed and water them.
Start cutting Sweet peas as they flower, if flowers are picked regularly they will continue to flower for months.
Tie in tomatoes to a cane as they continue to grow to help them stay upright as the weighty fruit develops. Continue to feed with a tomato fertiliser to encourage flowering. Plant French marigolds with tomato to ward off whitefly.
Tidy bearded Irises as they finish flowering
Earth up potatoes.
Roses will be at their peak this month and a close eye needs to be kept on them, spraying where necessary, to control any blackspot, rust or mildew and the occasional attack of aphids. If you want specimen blooms for showing the best will be from Hybrid tea roses especially if the side buds are removed early on. If any suckers appear, they are generally seven leaved and greyish green, trace them back to the main plant and remove them by tearing them out. It is very difficult to make sure that suckers do not re-grow but tearing them out makes sure no dormant buds are left to re–grow.
Bedding should be starting to come into its own, hanging baskets, pots and tubs look brilliant with so much choice it will allow you to go for the vibrant oranges through to the more subtle pinks, pale blues and whites.
Other plants to enjoy include the Cistus with their papery flowers again with a range of colours and attractive leaves; they are a useful evergreen for the sunny border. Philadelphus will be in full flower and most are scented so on warm days they will fill the garden with scent. Choisya have beautiful white flowers above vibrant yellow or bright green leaves