© Copyright Harleston Grapevine 2009
September in the Garden
The last month of summer, before autumn gales and rain take their toll. Has it been a good summer for your garden, in spite of the mid season drought? Shrubs and trees have done very well, having roots to get moisture from deep down, but shallow rooted ornamental perennials have struggled unless watered artificially. As for allotment gardeners who often have meagre access to water resources … it must have been a nightmare at times to get the growth and crops their hard work deserved.
Looking to the future there is plenty to do. Early flowering perennials such as Hellebores
and Primulas should be planted now, as well as spring flowering bulbs which will
by now be in the shops. Hardy spring flowering Cyclamen, Scilla tubergeniana and
Ipheon 'Wisley Blue' are less usual early flowering plants which can be planted with
the more usual Daffodils and Tulips. Don't forget also to take semi-
The last summer vegetable crops will be gathered by the end of the month, ready for the autumn clearing up operation before winter digging is contemplated in the next month or two. Planting of winter Brassica crops should have been completed during this month.
Consideration should also be given to finding space for one or two winter flowering shrubs which give structure as well as ornamental interest to the garden. Their flowers may not be spectacular in appearance, but they often make up for this by being very strongly scented. Chimonanthus praecox is an easily grown shrub with beautifully scented yellow flowers, while Daphne bholua 'Jacqueline Postill' with very pale pink flowers is perhaps the most strongly scented of all ornamental shrubs. They are well worth seeking out for a place near the house where their scent can be appreciated on still winter days.
The first Garden Club meeting of the winter season will be at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 14th September in the Methodist Church Hall in London Road, when John Holden will give a talk entitled 'Touch and Sniff'. Visitors are always welcome, and further details may be obtained from Janet Carstairs on 853413.
Harleston Garden Club