FLOWER of the month
Hydrang eas come in lots of shapes and sizes, but the most common are the mopheads (Hydrangea macrophylla) with their big flowerheads and easy-care nature. A close cousin is H. paniculata, prized for its large white flowerheads and tolerance of cold. For autumn colour, try one of the American oak-leafed hydrangeas (H. quercifolia), which will cope with quite heavy frosts. An evergreen hydrangea (Dichroa), from Vietnam, will suit warmer gardens.
JANUARY CHECKLIST
• To help revitalise plants after their spring growth spurt and keep them looking fabulous through summer, give them a tea break – a homemade organic tea, that is. Add water to seaweed, chopped-up comfrey leaves, animal manure, fish guts, compost or a mixture of any of the above, cover with a childproof lid and leave for 3-4 weeks. Dilute with water when feeding to plants and don’t make the mix too rich. You could also try a commercial brand of organic fertiliser such as Nitrosol or Ocean Organics.
• Make sure your garden watering system is fit for action this summer, with no leaks or blocked drippers.
• If you’re going away for more than a week in summer and don’t have an automatic watering system, find a kind friend or neighbour to water your garden for you. Ask them to do it in the morning if possible; late-night watering encourages fungal diseases, as well as slugs and snails.
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