Alan Titchmarsh has identified perennials as the plant that will "enhance" your garden this summer. In a fresh episode of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh YouTube channel, he walked viewers through his latest garden tasks, focusing on finishing his feature bed in the cottage garden. He meticulously chose perennials and positioned them among existing shrubs, alongside cosmos, calendulas, and poppies.
Why Perennials Are a Gardener's Delight
Titchmarsh shared: "I do love perennials and you know they're going to give you pleasure year after year. But at the same time, for the cost of a packet of seeds, which will have hundreds if not thousands in that little packet to produce plants like this, there's something deeply satisfying about getting enormous value for money, as well as bright flowers for your garden." Displaying the completed arrangement, he said perennials "will really enhance our garden this summer" alongside the other plants mentioned.
Soil Preparation and Planting Tips
Titchmarsh explained that regarding soil preparation, he had "beefed up" the border and used "lots of soil improver" to give perennials "something to get their roots into." Providing guidance for mixed planting designs, he urged gardeners to "bear in mind how they're going to grow" and observed that when correctly positioned, "they'll find their way through one another." He added: "With all of them, the most important thing is you water them really well in these little pots before you plant them. And then once planting's over, give them another watering in."
Other Summer Plants Recommended
While filling one of his raised patio planters, Titchmarsh also spotlighted a plant he insisted will "flower its socks off" this summer. Talking about plants he had cultivated from seed earlier in the year, he commended foxgloves (Digitalis), which he claimed "are really useful plants in either sun or dappled shade." He added: "Another one to use is the verbena bonariensis, the thin wiry one with little tiny pom-poms of purple flowers on the top that butterflies and bees love. They will flower their socks off right the way through the summer." Titchmarsh also suggested lavender, observing that it "loves full sun and adores sharp drainage."
Budget-Friendly Gardening
The gardening expert continued by saying that cultivating annuals is an excellent approach to gardening on a limited budget, while providing a colourful finishing flourish to borders.
Plants Titchmarsh Dislikes
Alan’s latest gardening advice comes after he revealed the two plants he would be happy to see permanently removed from gardens. Speaking to Stephanie Mahon on the Talking Gardens podcast, when asked which plants he dislikes most, he replied: "Pampas grass." Explaining his reasoning, he said it looks "like a collection of feathered dusters sticking out of a mountain of grass," adding: "If you ever want to get rid of it, you've got a real task ahead of you." He also admitted a dislike for large-flowered gladioli, although he acknowledged they can look "very good in church." However, he stressed that his dislike does not extend to all varieties.
