The June Garden
By Doreen Moody

This has been a wonderful year for bloom especially some of the more unusual bulbs or corms such as the various Fritillarias, Erythroniums, Trilliums etc. Before they die away completely, this is a good time to divide them, collect them then seed if you want them to increase.

If the wood anemones ‘Anemone Nemerosa’ have made large patchs amongst the bulbs in the plantation they also can be lifted and divided whilst the weather is showery. Put a marker in as they die down now or you may forget where you have planted them. As they are hardy they will appear in greater numbers next year. My original ones were planted in the scree where they did very well especially the double form. If you haven't a woodland area you can still enjoy them as they also can be had in shades of blue and yellow.

The Erythronium and Fritillaria seeds best gathered before fully ripe. Put them in a paper bag on the windowsill where they will soon dry out and be ready for sowing. I rarely find self sown seedlings as the birds take the seed, but if sown in large pots or even polystyrene fish boxes you will have blooms in a couple of seasons.

During this showery weather, I have planted out the Brussels Sprout plants. If planted early this gives much better plants and a longer flowering season. Last years plants of 'Swiss Chard' are providing me with a welcome change of vegetable.