Welcome to the Sunday Gardener
July is peak summer and this year in particular, with so much sunshine, the garden is in full bloom.
With no respite to the dry weather, and a hose pipe ban around the corner, efficient watering is really important to make the most of the limited water available. Sign up to this month's newsletter for advice on beating the drought, summer planting combinations and all about a sensory garden.
To keep the garden looking good Blooming good tips for flower growers
Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet', common name lamb's ears. The leaves are so soft and downy making them lovely to stroke. Strachys also has spikes of mauve flowers, which although muted, they are of great attraction to the wool carder bee which loves its nectar and downy leaves. Ideal for a sensory garden.
Strawberries are a vigorous crop which can be grown in a dedicated bed but are also an ideal container crop. Tips about growing strawberries and how to get new plants for free, plus information on the latest RHS trials to identify the best varieties to grow.
Agapanthus are tall stylish plants with large flower heads. This summer with lots of sun should be a good year for Agapanthus.
It can be tricky to get Agapanthus to flower, and there are some tips on the web site.
Cistus common name Rock Rose, a sun loving shrub with delicate papery flowers. Cistus shrubs tend to be short lived and do need to be planted in a sunny sheltered spot. Illustrated is a lovely mauve variety C. creticus which grows wild in Crete. Cistus will tolerate very dry conditions.
The Sunday Gardener is full of free practical gardening advice. There is advice on spring flowering plants and shrubs, and summer flowering plants and shrubs. Advise on climbing plants, scented plants, and plants for shade. Pages of detailed growing advise and images to help you select the best plants for your garden.
Lots of practical tips on gardening including how to beat the slugs, projects such as how to build a pond, and ideas for gardening by the seaside.
Check out also pages on growing vegetables and a month by month seasonal calendar.
More than ever gardening is about being greener and helping wildlife. Ideas about wildlife friendly plants and plants for bees and butterflies which are easy to grow and will ensure your garden has a buzz.
Struggling to identify a shrub or plant? Send an image to theSunday Gardener for help.
For help from the Sunday Gardener and plant identification service
