Sun and wind has taken its toll, finds GINA PARKINSON.

The border in our garden has gone from a neat colourful carpet of pulmonaria and forget-me-nots, early geraniums and moisture loving geum, lime euphorbia and dainty ‘Tete-a-Tete’ daffodils to a mess of tall mid-summer perennials.

Yellow achillea is beginning to colour up at the back of the bed and the autumn daisy is sending long stems about its feet that will eventually carry bright gold daisies at the end of the season.

Bronze fennel fills a space with misty brown leaves; it has been trimmed back this year to encourage a new flush of the beautiful new foliage although this will be at the expense of the flowers.

Lighting up patches in the bed are clumps of white Leucanthe-mum, a wonderful family of hardy plants for dry sunny spots. We have the lovely Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Phyllis Smith’ with shaggy heads of thin, white, petals that grow this way and that around a yellow centre. The dark green stems are quite stiff and can be left unsupported, but a windy day like we had here last Sunday will spoil the clump as will heavy rain so it is best to be prepared and put some sort of loose support around it.

Leucanthemum x superbum ‘Wirral Supreme’ is another lovely member of this family with very dark leaves and stems like ‘Phyllis Smith’ but with double flowers. Small upright white petals cluster around the small, yellow, centre, gradually getting larger towards the outer edge of the blooms, creating a dramatic sight at the front or middle of a bed. I have found this variety needs staking.

Weekend catch up

One of the most important jobs in the garden at the moment is to water any plants in pots, containers, window boxes and hanging baskets. The weather has been so hot and dry and the breezy conditions dry them out even more quickly. They will need to be soaked at least one a day, smaller containers may need to be tended in the morning and evening.

Plants out in the garden will survive better as they send their roots deep to find moisture. Recently planted specimens may need to be checked and given a couple of buckets full of water every now and again. Fruit and veg will also need to be watered.

Fruit and veg show

The York Organic Fruit and Veg Show will be held at Dean’s Garden Centre, Stockton-on-Forest, on Saturday, September 4. Anyone who grows their own produce organically is welcome to enter with the entries being judged on flavour rather than uniformity. Entries cost 25p each and can be brought along to Dean’s between 10am-12pm on the day. Public viewing takes place from 2pm-3pm followed by the prize giving and an opportunity to taste the goods from 3pm-4pm. Find out more at yorkorganicgardenersassociation.org.uk or from Sue Bond on 01759 302147.


Open gardens

Sunday, July 11

In aid of the National Gardens Scheme.
Cawood Gardens, on the B1223 seven miles south east of Tadcaster. Three gardens open in this riverside village whose C11 church will also be open. 9 Anson Grove has a small tranquil garden with winding paths, raised areas, pagoda, bridge and Zen garden. Ash Lea has shrubs and fernery leading to formal borders, pool and vegetable garden edged in clipped box. 21 Great Close is planted for year-round interest with ever changing borders that include vegetables, herbs, grasses and perennials. There are also ponds, a stream and a rose walk. Open 12pm-5pm, combined admission £5.

Evergreens, 119 Main Road, Bilton, four miles north east of Hull on the B1238. One –acre garden with mosaics, sundials, African carvings, rockeries, seaside and Japanese gardens, many conifers and fun items. Open 1pm-5pm, admission £2.

Hillbark, Church Lane, Bardsey, four miles south west of Wetherby off the A58 to Leeds. Award winning one acre garden with formal topiary, perennials, specimen yew, ponds, gravel, rock and stream gardens and woodland approached by a bridge over the stream. Open 11am-5pm, admission £3. More at www.hillbark.co.uk Norton Conyers, Wath, four miles north of Ripon. Large C18 walled garden that retains the essentials of its original design with an iron entrance gate, herbaceous borders, yew hedges and an Orangery fronted by a pond. Open 2pm-5pm, admission £4.50.

Wednesday

Manor Farm, Thixendale, 17 miles east of York turn off the A166 at the top of Garrowby Hill and follow signs for Thixendale. One-acre garden created over the past 20-plus years with many different areas including pergolas, an alpine area, knot garden with a ruined shed, lawns, borders and a shaded area. Open 2pm-6pm, admission £3.


TV & radio

Sunday, July 11

8am, BBC Radio Humberside, The Great Outdoors. Presented by Blair Jacobs and Doug Stewart.

9am, BBC Radio Leeds, Tim Crowther and Joe Maiden.

2pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. From Sparsholt College in Hampshire.

Friday

3pm, BBC R4, Gardeners’ Question Time. The gardening weather forecast is at 3.40pm. (Repeated on Sunday July 18 at 2pm)

Saturday

7am, BBC Radio York, Julia Booth. Presenter Julia Booth and plant expert Nigel Harrison hold their weekly plant surgery.