August is usually one of the hottest months of the year – making watering essential. Try to use grey water wherever possible, especially as water butts may be running low if it has been a dry summer and consider installing a leaky hose irrigation system on a timer, particularly if you are going away.
TOP JOBS THIS MONTH:
- Watering! Particularly containers and new plants, preferably with grey recycled water or stored rainwater. Alternatively contact us regarding installing an irrigation system.
- Thoroughly soak drought-stressed plants and shrubs, especially newly planted ones. Use recycled or stored rain water wherever possible.
- Prune Wisteria and shrubs such as Pyracantha after flowering.
- Continue to deadhead shrubs, such as roses, to extend flowering into early autumn
- Hebes and lavenders can be given a light prune after flowering.
- Keep early-flowering shrubs such as Camellia and Rhododendron well watered during dry periods to ensure good flower bud initiation.
- Keep ponds and water features topped up
- Give established hedges a trim over in August
PLANT PICKS:
- Achillea (Yarrow)
- Agapantus
- Coreopsis ‘Golden Sphere’
- Ficus carica
- Mexican Salvias
- Hebes
- Hydrangea paniculata
- Prunus domestica
- Paulownia tomentosa
- Vinis vinifera
For low maintenance, drought resistant plants try:
- Agave
- Aeonium
- Ornamental grasses
For a lush tropical look try:
- Ensete ventricosum ‘Maurelii’ (banana)
- Canna lilies
- Fatsia japonica
- Musa basjoo (banana)
- Gunnera manicata
- Tetrapanax papyrifer ‘Rex’
Plan ahead – Summer is the ideal time to start planning new projects so please do contact us with all your planting and landscaping requirements from screening and filling ugly gaps to completely transforming your garden with a new design and build. Tel: 0118 934 1757 email: info@thebigplantnursery.com