Everything changes so rapidly in the May cutting garden. With a mini heatwave, flowers burst open almost before your very eyes. The garden swells and changes at such a rapid rate it can be hard to keep up.
As April moves into May, the last tulips fade but a whole new month of flowers emerge. Lilacs, Snowball bushes (Virburnum Opulus Roseum) and Geums , sweet Geums welcome a new month. Tantalising glimpses of Nigella, Poppies and Agrostemma give a taste of what’s to follow. I have been busy filling vases and sending out bunches of blooms on a regular basis for the last few weeks. It’s wonderful to be back.
I am trying to not be too distracted by my spring blooms. There are still jobs to be done. Now is the perfect time to be sowing ‘hot weather’ cut flowers. Zinnia’s, Asters, Sunflowers are all on my to do list. Along with a few more Cosmos and some Amaranth. These plants will keep you in flower right up to the frosts. You are definitely not too late to get started. I’m also going to sow some pretty pumpkin seeds because why not?!
Filling up pots has been high on my priority list too. Refreshing the compost in old pots, moving things on and filling up any growing container I can with my seedlings. I’ve had a bumper crop of strawflowers which have been put into buckets, baskets and any space I have going spare. I’m keeping my fingers crossed I grew peach and pink varieties rather than a lot of yellows. This year’s weddings are all about the rosy pink shades.
It’s also time to keep on top of watering. I try to give my beds a good water twice a week but top up the greenhouse daily if I think my seedlings need it.
If gardening and growing flowers is new to you – it can feel a little overwhelming. My advice would be to start small and gradually expand. There will be things that fail and those that thrive. Try a little of everything until you find the right plants for your plot.
I have many failed plants in my history. It’s only been through experimenting, I now have flowers beds full of flowers that I love and love me back. Finding the rhythm can take time but once you get it, your days will be filled with flowers.
If you’d like to join me in the garden, my ‘Quickie’ workshops should be taking place under the shade of a might Hawthorn throughout the summer. The next sessions are Saturday 31st May and Saturday 5th July.
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