Page 50 - Phonebox Magazine April 2008

A Month in the Garden
Linette Applegate of Toddington Manor
Longer, warmer days, and stronger sunshine means that the grass often enough to keep it under
garden is awakening. Hedgerows are greening up and the view from the window is different each day as plants unfurl and push through the soil. This all means more work for the gardener, not that it seems a chore in such a wonderful atmosphere.
If you have large clumps of herbaceous perennials it’s a good time to divide and replant them, as this will increase their vigour and provide spare plants for your garden. Use two forks back to back to split the clumps and water generously after replanting.
Hardy annuals are great for instant colour this year, choose a dry day when the soil can be raked to a fine tilth suitable for sowing. Mow the
control and use sharp edging shears to tidy up the edges.
Climbers will grow quickly now, so ensure
they have enough support, trellis, vine
eyes and wire attached to walls, or
individual ornamental obelisks or tripods.
As they cover the support, gently try to
encourage new shoots sideways, as this will send their hormones all along the length of the shoot, rather than just rushing to the tips – doing this will give you flowers all over the plant, not just at the top! K
Plant of the Month Omphalodes cappadocica
Atrue gem of a spring flower, this fast growing evergreen perennial is extremely accommodating. It is related to the well known forget-me-not and indeed has similar sprays of gentian-blue, star-shaped flowers, appearing during March and April.
Its curious common name of Navelwort refers to the navel like depression in the seeds, and the greek word omphalos meaning ‘a navel’ takes us back to the first part of its latin name.
It forms a low-growing mound and heart-shaped, mid-green leaves of around 25cm tall and wide, with the flowers reaching 40cm. Preferring light shade, and tolerating dry soils, it is perfect for carpeting areas under deciduous trees. Plants don’t like disturbance and should only be divided when they become overcrowded, although will self-seed prolifically. K
LANDSCAPE GARDENING & BLOCK PAVING
My garden kicks ass!
01933 665466 07881 464301 07919 178945
PAVING PATIOS FENCES ROCKERIES PATHWAYS CLEARANCE
Malcolm Threadgold 17 Mile Street, Bozeat
J. D. Landscapes
Landscape Design &Construction
Qualified professionals carrying out
PAVING PRUNING WALLING DECKING
FENCING PONDS PLANTING TURFING
HEDGE/TREE/SHRUB PRUNING Garden maintenance
Block paving drives cleaned and renovated
Call 01234 711681 - 07768 621234
Open March to December
in a beautiful setting with display garden
Large selection of: Geraniums • Basket Plants • Shrubs
Monday to Saturday 9 to 5 • Sunday 10 to 4
Tel: 01933 350543
We are close to Santa Pod Raceway on the Hinwick to Wollaston Road
For more garden maintenance, advice, design, and planting ideas, visit www.applegategardens.co.uk
48 Phonebox Magazine
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