Hi, welcome to the new monthly Gardening Column in The Dorset Eye. My name is Darren Jeffery. In this column I will share with you: what I have been up to in the previous month in some of the gardens I work in; which plants are looking their best throughout the next month and also what jobs can be done in the garden throughout next month. There will also be a Plant in Focus section, each month, where a plant “at it’s best” will be showcased in more detail.
I run a Landscape Maintenance business, looking after gardens mainly 0.5 acres upwards, one or two of which have been open to the public. I work alongside many different people and have to work with many different styles, geographical aspects, soil types etc. This makes life very interesting and means that no two days are ever the same.
I do, however favour woodland plants over others as they are the ones which have to compete for everything. Sun, nutrients and water all have to be fought for by these plants living in the shadow of trees, when you can’t just get up and move, isn’t easy. They all have their own different ways of beating the odds.
Although September is seen by some as the start to Autumn, the Summer weather quite often continues throughout this month. Japanese Anemones, Verbena, Rudbeckias, Schizostylis and Asters all give good colour this month.
It is a good idea to keep up with the dead – heading this month, and start cutting any perennial plants down that have finished flowering. September is a great month with generally warm days and cool nights and lawns can grow very quickly right up to Christmas, so it’s a good idea to keep on top of the mowing as well.
In Focus
The plant in focus this month is Verbena bonariensis. It’s a very strong rigid perennial with rough branching stems bearing Lance – shaped, wrinkled, clasping leaves. They originated from South America (Brazil to Argentina). Ideal for making a vale like screen, where you can see through to what’s beyond… just. Grows to about 5ft that loves sunny, well drained positions and will just keep giving every year (will seed itself easily). Flowers are mauve in colour borne on Flowers late Summer/early Autumn.
See you in October
Happy Gardening
Darren
