Whitehalls Plant of the Month- Hydrangea

The Hydrangea is a fast growing deciduous shrub. It produces large flower heads during the summer and early autumn. It has dark green foliage. They are hardy plants and can also be cut to be used in a floral arrangment. They can be planted in pots or in containers and are a great way to add colour to your summer garden. They grow to about 3-7m in height and 2.5 in width. They need to be grown in fertile, moisture retentive soil. The plant requires minimal pruning, however all sideshoots must be cut back in late winter.

Gardening Tips for August

-Make sure wild birds and other wildlife have access to fresh water, as in the hot weather fresh water can be hard to find. Also keep ponds topped up.
-If the weather is hot and dry you can mow your lawn less frequently.
-Prune rambling roses after they have flowered.
-Trim Lavender after their flowers have faded.
-Water plant regularly in hot weather.
-Take cuttings from perennials such as Fuchsias and Pelagoniums.
-In your vegetable garden you can lift and dry Onions, cut and dry herbs for use in winter and Plant new strawberry plants.

Pick and Prune Raspberries

Summer fruiting Raspberries should be ready to harvest around now. If you have plenty of Raspberries they are suitable to freeze or to cook gently and make a puree .Old canes will be easily identifiable as they will be a darker brown and the remains of fruit clusters and leaves will most likely look a bit tatty. Younger canes will still have fresh summer foliage on and the stems will be green. You can start by untying the old canes from their wire supports and cut them to ground level. You can them tie in new canes, with spacing of around 10cm apart. Make sure you only tie in strong and healthy canes. The old canes which have been pruned out can be shredded and used as mulch.

Managing Pest and Disease

In the warm summer months, pests and disease can multiply rapidly. Greenfly and Blackfly can reproduce quite rapidly and it can be hard to control them. It is important to have a wide range of plants in your garden that will attract an array of other insects and other wildlife that can help to keep pests and disease at bay. There are many biological controls now available to help control pests. Many of these can be bought in our Garden Centre .

Planning your Holiday Garden

July and August are normally popular months for people to take holidays and with this in mind we have thought of a few pointers to help you prepare your garden for your absence.
- Try to ask a neighbour, friend or family to call into your garden and make sure your plants are watered and fed.
-Mow the lawn before you go and hopefully it wont need another cut until you get back. However do not cut it too close as it will encourage it to grow faster.
- Houseplants can be moved outside while you are on a summer break.
- You can use automatic irrigation systems as they are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Following these simple instructions should ensure that you come back to a healthy, thriving garden and not a jungle!

Gardening Tips for July

- Ensure there is water in your garden for birds and wildlife as it is getting warmer and water is harder for them to find.
- Be careful of your plants being eaten by insects, pests and disease.
- Water bedding plants regularly to avoid them drying out.
- Deadhead flowers as they fade to help encourage new growth.
- Plant autumn flowering bulbs.
- Water vegetables regularly.
- Take cuttings of plants to reproduce.
- Prune wisteria.
- Trim conifers and hedging back for healthy growth and shape.
- Its your last chance to fill borders, beds and baskets with bedding plants for summer colour.

Climbing Roses

Roses should be in full bloom throughout summer with their beautiful fragrant flowers bursting with colour. We have chosen 3 of our favourites for you to admire.

The Falstaff- These have lovely crimson purple full petaled flowers surrounded by rich foliage. These roses are strong, bushy and upright and provide a wonderful old rose fragrance.----->

Teasing Georgia- This rose has beautiful two tone yellow flowers with a centre of deep yellow and outer petals that are pale yellow. It has a good resistance to disease and flowers well each year.--->

Generous Gardener-This climbs with strong and elegant arching. It has dark green foliage and fragrant pale pink flowers.----->