Page 77 - Phonebox Magazine August 2011

Plant of the Month Cosmos bipinnatus nde
Good value plants. When times are hard and value for money is required, the cheerful Cosmos will brighten up your garden all summer long, from just a seed packet and a little TLC from yourself. This self-seeding half-hardy annual is an undemanding plant, growing even in the worse conditions spring and summer have to offer, and flourishing in warm sun and poor soil. You can sow in spring for early summer flowers and if the plants are regularly dead-headed you will
have continuity of blooms right through to the first frosts.
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They are large daisy flowers available in shades from white through pink to maroon, with yellow centres. Varieties can have single or double flowers, picotee edges or furled petals. The clear white ‘Purity’ is a favourite of mine. They can be grown amongst other tall plants as they reach 1 metre in height, with individual flowers measuring 8cm or more across.
Freshly cut cosmos
flowers make a lovely,
airy bouquet and an
arrangement of
cosmos can last for 7
- 10 days, just
remember to select
flowers with petals
that have just
unfolded, as they will
dh
open fully once cut.
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www.applegategardens.co.uk
Gardening with children
It’s great to get kids involved in the garden at a young age. But they are easily bored or discouraged, so it is important to get them started on easy to grow, quick result plants. Here is our top picks:
FLOWER: Cornflower, Centaurea cyanus; plant seeds in September or April where you want them to flower. This beautiful flower, surprisingly, used to be a weed!
VEGETABLE: Lettuce, Lactuca sativa varieties; lettuces can be grown all-year-round. Simply choose from the many varieties to ensure you have a crop for every season. Once sown, seeds should begin to sprout within 12 days.
NATURE: Lavender, Lavandula; a familiar garden favourite, producing white, pink, blue or purple aromatic flowers during the summer months with the added advantage of attracting butterfly.
STORAGE
at Mill Farm, Gayhurst
Contact Arthur Adams
01908 611489 07713 740746
Summer
Meadow Landscapes & Tree Surgery
Established 11 years
01908 516387 07801 434042
• Garden Design
• Landscaping & Garden Restoration • Border Design & Planting
• Maintenance services
Susan Young Dip.Hort.(RHS)
Garden Designer & Head Gardener, Stevington
Tel: 01234 826430 & 07787 158288 susankyoung@btconnect.com
GFS
FENCING SERVICES
GARDEN CLEARANCE
LANDSCAPING
HEDGE CUTTING
TURFING
NO VAT
All Carried Out Professionally and Courteously at Sensible Competitive Rates
MOB: 07740 715158 TEL: 01234 881633
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Phonebox Magazine 77