Gardening tips

In early August the garden seems to pause under the heat, but this is exactly the right moment to prepare surprise blooms for late summer and autumn. Several bulbs are planted now, dry, before the first rains arrive. Here are five reliable choices to plant without delay. Choose the Amaryllis belladonna This bulb produces a…

August is the true starting gun for autumn-flowering bulbs. Now is the time to plant autumn crocus and colchicums so you can enjoy their mauve blooms as early as September. Here’s how to get them off to a good start in your garden. Pick a sunny spot These bulbs thrive on warmth and light. Choose…

August is the perfect time to get your beds ready for a burst of autumn colour. Autumn-flowering bulbs — colchicums, saffron crocus (Crocus sativus), and sternbergias — should go into the ground now, ready to bloom six to eight weeks later, often popping up before their leaves even appear. Here’s how: Pick a well-drained, sunny…

Summer is in full swing, and your dahlias, gladioli, cannas and tuberous begonias are growing strong. In the heat, proper watering makes all the difference between a flamboyant flowerbed and flowers running out of steam. Here’s how to get it right: 1. Water early in the morning or in the evening Never in full heat:…

In the heart of summer, dahlias, gladioli and lilies are giving their very best in the garden. But July’s heat can quickly put them to the test. A few simple steps are all it takes to keep them beautiful and vigorous right through to autumn. With these few simple steps, your summer bulbs will sail…

In early August, while the garden is still in full swing, it’s already the right time to think about autumn. Colchicums, autumn crocuses (Crocus speciosus, Crocus sativus) and sternbergias are planted now to bloom from September onward, often even before their leaves appear. A true firework of mauve, white and yellow just as the rest…