North easterly winds, usually felt during the winter months, dominated May weather giving low night time temperatures and making the days feel chilly even in strong sunshine.
But by mid-June the sun is at its strongest and this can be the sunniest month of the year – although there may be cloudy and muggy conditions which bring thunderstorms.
Weeding, watering and planting summer bedding are the key tasks in the gardening calendar for June. Begin feeding plants regularly – SM3 Seaweed Extract is an organic liquid feed suitable for vegetables, flowers, lawns and fruit.
Some weeds are attractive in their own right (such as speedwell and common knapweed) and can be thought of as plants in the wrong place – but they are growing vigorously and need to be kept under control in the beds and borders.
The weeds can take moisture and nutrient away from other plants. If you have space in the garden away from the main flowerbeds or vegetable plot, allow a small patch of weeds to grow. Or sow a wild flower mixture of seeds (available from garden centres or online) in late summer – these plants will pop up next spring – and support beneficial garden insects. They can also be grown in pots on the balcony – or in a window box.
Due to the cold temperatures during April and May plant growth has been checked and many are late into flower. Roses, a favourite shrub of many gardeners (and non-gardeners) are coming into bloom. It is always worth outlining the different types of roses – they are classified in three groups: Species, Old Garden roses and Modern roses; within these groups there are numerous different varieties to suit all gardens. Small bush roses, miniature or patio types are ideal for containers.
Apart from roses there are many and varied interesting flowers to see in the June Garden. Summer Jasmine with masses of fragrant white flowers; the humble Elderflower looks attractive with its creamy white flower clusters that give the shrub a soft and delicate outline. Pyracantha, grown for its autumn display of orange or red berries has white flowers at this time (disguising sharp thorny stems – a useful barrier plant for hedging). Peonies (pictured above), are in bloom – a sumptuous herbaceous perennial with large soft flowers in a range of colours including white, deep maroon and yellow.
A number of trees flower during the summer months – including the Rowan (Mountain ash) also a tree with year round interest – colourful leaves in autumn followed by bright red berries. Robinia (Robinia pseudoacacia) is graceful with pendulous sprays of perfumed pea-like flowers; and the Tulip Tree, tall and spectacular but with modest pale tulip-like blooms. The latter two are often planted as street trees.
