In Gardeners World episode 16 2019: it’s all about the maintenance this week at Longmeadow, as Monty cuts back and divides spring flowering plants, gives advice on the pruning, dead-heading and staking of roses and shows how to keep ponds looking good for the summer.
Joe Swift and Adam Frost meet up in Leicestershire to see how they can help a couple of novice gardeners turn a neglected area of their garden into a useable and useful space; Nick Bailey goes to Ham House in Richmond to see how they are coping with the ravages of box tree caterpillar and meet an expert who has advice about the latest techniques to tackle the problem, Arit Anderson visits a garden in Suffolk to find out about the concept of rewilding and how cultivated and wild plants can be combined harmoniously and Mark Lane is at home in Kent, showing us how he gardens successfully by using a few adapted tools.
Gardeners World episode 16 2019
Deadheading plants
Deadheading is the term used for the removal of flowers from plants when they are fading or dead. It is done to keep plants looking attractive and encourage more blooms, whether in beds and border, containers or hanging baskets. Most flowers lose their attraction as they fade, spoiling the overall appearance of beds, borders and containers, and are best removed.
Flower balling
The fully-developed buds of double flowers, such as roses and peonies, sometimes fail to open. This problem is known as ‘balling’ and usually occurs in wet weather conditions. However, it is possible to rescue some of the affected flowers. Flower balling is a disorder in which flower buds develop normally but do not open. But what is the cause? Cool, wet weather saturates the outer petals and then the sunshine dries and fuses them into a tight, papery shell, preventing the bud from opening.
Planting aquatic plants
Aquatic plants enliven a pond and help create a wildlife habitat. They are not difficult to plant, although there are a few key differences from planting on land. Mid-spring through to early summer is the best time to purchase new plants. This is a good time to plant, as the water is warming up and plants should establish well.
Dividing primula
Dividing perennials regularly will ensure healthy, vigorous plants that will continue to perform year after year. It also offers the opportunity to multiply your plants. Most perennials benefit from division every two to three years to maintain health and vigour.
