As summer approaches, May is a pivotal month for gardeners across the UK. Many will be heading to garden centres this weekend, seeking extra plants to fill gaps in beds and borders. However, Alan Titchmarsh, the beloved Gardeners' World presenter, has vital tips to consider before loading up your trolley.
Choosing the Right Climbers
Climbing plants can transform your garden, disguising unsightly walls and water butts. But Alan stresses careful thought is needed about where they will grow. "There's a wide range of climbing plants available," he says, "so it's important that you study where they're going to grow before you decide which ones to pick."
Sunny Spots: Clematis
For sunny locations, Clematis is an excellent option. However, Alan points out that this "Queen of Climbers" should have its roots in shade. Provided you bear that in mind, Clematis is perfect for covering walls, fences, and pergolas. Varieties like Clematis armandii and C. cirrhosa provide year-round interest, with early colour and autumn foliage. Alan adds: "Varieties like 'Shimmer' give large purple flowers for smaller areas, while a more vigorous variety like Clematis montana can grow up to 12 metres with masses of pink flowers early in the season."
Shady Spots: Hydrangea
For shadier spots, Alan suggests Hydrangea petiolaris. "It has fresh green foliage in spring and pretty white flowers in summer," he says. In autumn, its leaves turn a pleasing yellow, brightening north-facing spaces.
Compact Gardens: Solanum
For smaller gardens, Alan recommends Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. This semi-evergreen scrambler grows rapidly, offering instant results and abundant violet-blue blooms with yellow centres from summer to autumn.
Companion Planting
Alan also emphasises companion planting: "By planting flowers on the veg patch, you encourage pollinating insects to visit, making sure flowers on peas and beans are more likely to set fruit." He suggests plants with large daisy-like blooms like Cosmos and Dianthus, which attract bees and butterflies. Alan includes Scabious for sentimental reasons: "My granddad grew it."
