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beds weekly Around the gardenTie in shoots of clematis and climbers to supportsPlant out chrysanthemums for autumn flowersPrune overgrown Clematis montana after floweringFlowersHang pheromone traps in fruit trees to control pestsThin out congested fruit

nigra, with black stems, and P. aureosulcata f. aureocaulis. I have used them as screens, specimens in pots and in innumerable planting schemes. However, they are mere minnows compared to some of the Asian varieties that grow to 20m high with stems (or

of the basket and bring it up the sides. You'll need a thick layer to provide the plants with the support they need. Give all the plants a good watering before starting.Cut a circle from a compost bag and place over the lining to help retain water. Add slow

in and around the logs, adding to the interest. You can even plant a climber or rambler to grow over the wood.The best location for a woodpile or stumpery is in partial shade, where the wood will remain moist and therefore support more life – including

Most rambling roses only flower once during the season which means that they can be pruned as soon as they've finished flowering. Cutting out the flowered stems makes space for vigorous new shoots which grow from the base of the plant. These can

, on the other side of me, has a veritable riot of sweet peas rambling all over a bamboo cane plant support. My plot might be lush and colourful with runner bean blooms and courgette flowers, but it does lack that splash of summery colour. Besides which, a few

British plums. Yet their flavour and variety is superior to any from abroad, they freeze well, they're incredibly versatile and our consumption of them helps to support UK farmers.So, I am mounting a pincer attack. As well as writing a letter, I've also

, placing one of the root control discs provided, under the base of each. Stake the plants or attach them to support strings.Fill up the tank with tap water. It's a good idea to add a suitable liquid plant feed to the tank as well, so that your crops

, and robust enough to plant outside. Cobaea produces lots of spiralling tendrils for support, and these do a good job themselves, although I sometimes lend a hand to point shoots in the direction I'd like.Flowers were a while coming, but by August a succession

Everyone is looking for plants that offer great garden performance, and I think I've hit the jackpot with astrantia. I must have planted Astrantia major 'Roma' at the bottom of my lawn about eight years ago, and to be honest haven't given it any