Admire
Gazania, euphorbia and pigface are three summer stunners that stand up to hot weather.
Prune
Azaleas need a trim after flowering to promote compact, disease-free growth. Remove tall, irregular, sucker-like growth that can cause the shrub to become
leggy.
Cut back may bush (spiraea), removing the oldest canes at ground level to encourage arching waterfalls of new growth.
Pick
Hydrangea and agapanthus give a cool look to the Christmas table. To make hydrangea last longer, pick early in the morning and submerge the flower heads
in water for an hour before draining and arranging.
Check
How are the hoses? Fittings need replacing? When not in use roll the hose into a neat coil to avoid trip hazards and preserve the hose. Retractable hoses
make the job easier.
Repot
Divide and repot late-flowering cymbidium orchids.
Watch out
Keep an eye out for lacebug on azaleas, identified by the silver cast of infected leaves. Insects peak in summer: try a Confidor tablet or Richgro Bug
Killa granules beneath azaleas to control them.
Plant
In summer choose tube stock or the smallest pot-size possible, to help establish root systems over summer.
Stake
The huge and heavy heads of dahlias can break the fragile stems so offer support.
Last chance
Mulch the garden before the summer scorchers arrive.
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