Gardeners World episode 21 2019: We’re back at Longmeadow, where Monty makes a start on creating a wildflower patch. And if you’re about to go on holiday, he’s got some timely advice on how to keep your garden ticking over while you’re away.
Adam Frost visits Sledmere Gardens in East Yorkshire, where the borders have been planted with specific colour schemes in mind. And we meet a family in the Vale of Glamorgan who pack their small garden with colourful bedding plants for maximum impact.
Gardeners World episode 21 2019
Fennel
The herb fennel is closely related to the vegetable Florence fennel. However, the herb form is grown as a perennial, making a long-lived plant that is covered in pretty yellow flowers in early summer. Every part of the plant has a distinctive, aniseed-like scent and taste, and can be used in salads and cooking; particularly with fish. The flowers are attractive to a range of beneficial insects.
Yellow rattle
Yellow rattle (Rhinanthus minor) is an annual, completing its life cycle in one year. In early spring the seeds germinate and grow quickly. As their roots develop underground they seek out the roots of plants growing nearby, especially grasses. Once contact is made the yellow rattle draws water and nutrients from them, suppressing the growth of grasses by as much as 60%. In the resulting space, other flowers have room to grow.
Summer bedding
Plant up containers with summer bedding for glorious displays throughout the summer months. They can be used for lighting up a patio, deck, balcony or even a dull spot in a border.
For successful summer displays, choose plants that flower over a long period of time, respond well to deadheading and are tolerant of container cultivation. A wide range of suitable plants should be available in most garden centres from late March onward. However, don’t plant them out until the risk of frost has passed in your area.
