PLANT OUT SPRING BEDDING
Wallflowers get their name from their habit of growing near stone walls.
Erysimum cheiri are shortlived evergreen perennials or biennials often grown as spring bedding.
You can buy them as plug plants now and get them in the ground to flower early next year. This is a fun activity to do with children or grandchildren. All you need is a well-weeded flower bed in a sunny spot, gardening gloves, and a trowel.
Dig a hole so that the base of the plant is level with the soil. Pop in your young wallflower, firm the earth around it and water well. Repeat, leaving 20cm between plants.
They can grow to up to 50cm high depending on the variety and come in a range of bright colours. E. ‘Fireglow’ is a dazzling red and orange variety; E. ‘Bowles Mauve’ is light purple, while E. ‘Sunset Primrose’ is a fragrant lemon yellow.
Erysimum cheiri (pictured) are shortlived evergreen perennials or biennials often grown as spring bedding
This is also the time to plant plugs of Sweet Williams (Dianthus barbatus). These are also biennials or short-lived perennials which grow to between 40 to 60cm with clusters of carnation-like flowers from February to June in colours from white to deep pink, often in a combination of two tones. They prefer well-drained, alkaline to neutral soil in full sun.
POTATOES NEED LIFTING AND STORING
Potatoes are ready to lift when the foliage starts to die down
Potatoes are ready to lift when the foliage starts to die down. Remove leaves with signs of blight. Take care not to damage tubers, lift and leave them on the ground to dry.
Place in a paper bag and keep them in the dark, so they do not sprout. Check regularly, and dump any looking diseased.
BEAT THE SQUIRRELS
Harvest nuts before squirrels and birds make off with them
Harvest nuts before squirrels and birds make off with them. Hazelnuts are ready when the husks turn yellow. Store in a dry room in a net bag. Once they are fully dry, remove the husks.
Walnuts (Juglans regia) have a fibrous casing, which should be removed using gloves, before drying in a cool oven at 40C – then keep them in a dry place.
PLANT OF THE WEEK
ACTEA SIMPLEX (BRUNETTE)
Actea simplex or baneberry is a herbaceous perennial, which grows well in moist soil in dappled shade.
In autumn, it produces spikes of tiny fragrant white flowers which are purple in bud. These are a good source of late nectar for pollinating insects and are followed by poisonous berries.
Actea simplex ‘Brunette’ is a cultivar that has been given the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. Its deep purplish brown foliage contrasts well with its ghostly white blooms.
Actea simplex (pictured) or baneberry is a herbaceous perennial, which grows well in moist soil in dappled shade
READER’S QUESTION
Can you recommend good daffodils for pots?
Serena Dalton, Knutsford.
Dwarf narcissi daffodils are ideal for pots and make a cheerful welcome if you place them by your front door
Dwarf narcissi are ideal for pots and make a cheerful welcome if you place them by your front door. N. Tête-à-tête is a classic miniature daff with golden yellow blooms. N. ‘Jetfire’ has a windswept appearance.
N. ‘More and More’ is a dainty new dwarf variety that is long flowering. Petticoat daffodils are also worth showing off in pots, with their bell-like blooms. Try N. ‘White Petticoat’ or N. ‘Mary Poppins’ with magical creamy white flowers.