Colin Evans

As things go weather-wise, it's not been too bad if you take into account strong winds and lashings of rain. This is what we usually get in May.

Maples

The evenings are lighter and there appears to be the sound of growth in the air as most gardens are now a real riot of colour.

Look out for the magnificent maples all around, especially the purple Crimson King. Indeed if you want to create a real blast of colour to a gloomy corner of the garden then you will do no better than this fantastic tree.

The perennials in borders are making good progress and the foxgloves in my front garden are so high now that I am have difficulty opening both the study and dining room windows without flattening their tall elegant stems.

Foxgloves

In real terms the end of May is the proper start of the gardening summer and from now on our hanging baskets and delicate flowers should all be safe from the vagaries of cooler weather so make the most of it as all to soon the year will be speeding by.

Ceonothus 'Blue Mound' is the miniature version of the large deciduous flowering shrub so loved during the summer months for it's glorious vivid dark blues and striking dark green foliage. This smaller ground hugging version will make a fair amount of outward growth but will not grow taller than about  half a meter or so.

Ceanothus Blue Mound

The subtle blue flowers are borne on delicate stems and will fill borders with colour from May through to the end of June. This shrub is quite drought tolerant and will grow on most freely draining soils.

TOPICAL TIPS:

1:    Clear debris from garden ponds so that light can penetrate and keep the over wintering water oxygenating plants growing as fast as possible. The frogs in the pond stir up the sediment from the bottom and make the water cloudy and greenish so as soon as the water plants make good growth some of the problems of cloudy water should be alleviated.

2: Take a look at fruit trees especially apples and pears. If any of the growth looks weak or below par then do not hesitate in cutting the offending pieces out. This will help to push the goodness into healthy tissue and will prevent disease build up which in turn will ruin the fruit.

3: Keep sowing radish, lettuce and beetroot, and plant tomatoes into the
ground in the open. By now frosts should have disappeared for the rest of the summer. Make sure that all emerging salad and vegetable crops are well fed and watered to ensure the best of harvests.

Happy Gardening.