As we approach the final week of June, celebrated horticulturist Monty Don has shared a crucial gardening secret that could make all the difference to your summer borders. The Gardeners' World presenter insists this specific timing is absolutely vital for ensuring a spectacular second flush of flowers later in the season.
The Critical Pruning Window
According to Monty, the last week of June presents the perfect opportunity to prune early summer flowering plants. This strategic timing allows plants enough recovery period to produce vibrant new growth and flowers before autumn arrives.
'This is a really good time to cut back early summer flowering plants,' Monty emphasizes in his latest gardening advice. 'You've got just enough time for them to regrow and give you a second display before the end of the season.'
Which Plants Need Attention Now?
Monty specifically highlights several key plants that benefit from this timely intervention:
- Oriental poppies - Cut them right back to the ground
- Early flowering hardy geraniums - Sheer them back to encourage fresh growth
- Bulbs with faded foliage - Remove dying leaves to maintain garden tidiness
The gardening expert demonstrates his technique using a beautiful Geranium x oxonianum, showing exactly how to achieve the best results for renewed flowering.
Why Timing is Everything
This specific late-June timing isn't arbitrary. Monty explains that pruning too early risks damaging new growth, while waiting too late doesn't give plants sufficient time to recover and rebloom before cooler weather sets in.
The method serves multiple purposes: it encourages new flowering growth, keeps your borders looking neat and managed, and prepares your garden for an impressive late-summer display that will extend your colourful season well into autumn.
For British gardeners looking to maximize their garden's potential, following Monty's expert advice during this narrow window could be the difference between a garden that fades in July and one that continues to delight through September.
