In your garden: June

• BRING ON THE BLOOMS Cymbidium Orchids are easy for beginners, producing stunning blooms in winter. To trigger flower spikes, they need a drop innight temperatures during mid to late summer. This contrast with warm days encourages blooming. To support growth, feed monthly from February to October with an orchid-specific fertiliser, like Neutrog’s Strike Back for Orchids.Cymbidiums thrive outdoors in many climates, but also look striking indoors when in bloom.

• WASH AND DISINFECT all gardening tools and sharpen your cutting tools. Store small tools in a sand-filled trough, mixing a quarter-cup of mineral oil into the sand until it’s slightly moist. The sand will keep tools clean and sharp, while the oil prevents rust. After use, wipe your tools down with a rag before placing them back in the trough.

• ​CARE FOR CAMELLIAS Sasanqua and Japonica Camellias are flowering now. Some camellias "ball" instead of opening: the petals stay tight, and the whole bud falls prematurely. This is often caused by early morning sunlight hitting dew-covered buds, effectively steaming them before they can open. To avoid this, position camellias where they’re protected from early morning sun. Some varieties are wellsuited to pot culture. Visit a specialist ursery for good recommendations.

1. GET YOUR TULIPS IN Early June is a great time to plant tulip bulbs in the garden and in pots but make sure to get them in soon, as planting them later can delay blooming. Each bulb will establish its root system before it pushes up its leaves and flowers. Cram as many bulbs as can fit into your pot and set it on pot feet to ensure good drainage. Don’t overwater or your bulbs will rot.

• ​GROW MAJESTIC MAGNOLIAS Deciduous mangolias produce exquisite, globular blooms. Watch their grey, furry buds swell and open into sweetly scented winter flowers. Unfortunately, possums find the buds irresistible. If they can reach your tree, they’ll likely eat every bud before it opens. Plant your magnolia away from overhanging trees or wires so possums can’t hitch a ride onto your precious magnolia.​

           Pruning tips

• Here are some pruning tips you might find useful: 

  • When magnolias are young, prune out any weak growth or branches that spoil the overall shape of your tree.

  • Once established, only prune to remove dead and damaged wood or to improve the shape. Mature trees can produce vertical shoots, known as water shoots. These should be removed by cutting them back to the trunk or branch.

  • This limited pruning should be carried out between mid-summer and early autumn when the leaves are fully open.

• WINTER SPRAY STONE FRUIT Leaf Curls is a fungal disease that affects stone fruit trees like peaches and nectarines. It causes discolouration and distortion of leaves, disrupting photosynthesis. Fungal spores over winter on tree stems, ready to infect new leaves in spring. To prevent this, thoroughly spray your trees with lime sulfur during dormancy, followed by a copper spray, such as Multicrop’s Kocide Blue, before buds begin to swell. Early action and good coverage are key to controlling this disease.

• ​PLANT A PEONIE Tree Peonies and Herbaceous Peonies are classic favourites in cool-climate gardens, while Itoh peonies (a cross between tree and herbaceous types) thrive in warmer areas. Winter is an ideal time to plant peony tubers. You can explore and purchase lovely varieties from various bulb growers, such as Tesselaar.

  • Choose a spot with least six hours of sunshine and well-drained soil.

  • Enrich the soil with compost, and ensure it's slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6-7). l

  • Plant tubers with the eyes facing up, 2–3cm below the surface, and space them 90–120cm apart for proper air circulation.

• PRUNE AND PROSPER The best time to prune depends on the type of plant and how it grows. If you're pruning to encourage new growth, especially in productive plants, it's generally best to do so after flowering or fruiting. This allows the new growth that follows to go on to flower or fruit in turn. Pruning after flowering also helps avoid accidentally removing buds that are about to bloom. Some plants, like roses and hydrangeas, flower on new wood and are best pruned in winter, once they’ve dropped their leaves but before new growth begins. Always check the specific pruning requirements for each plant before you start.
  
  Image credit: Lucius Hunter via Unsplash