Wreathed in Virginia creeper

The leaves have fallen from the Virginia creeper (they only ever give 5 minutes of flaming autumn leaf), so now I can get at the pliable stems and make a few wreath bases. the black berries on bright red stems look brilliant, but I doubt they'll last. I'll dip them in glycerine for a bit and see how long...

Keeping the show on the road

Many plants have given up by late summer, but there are a few that will keep  going from June until November, without any deadheading or cutting back. Low growing Geranium ‘Rozanne’ flowers in an endless sprawl and tall, wiry Verbena bonariensis is a magnet for butterflies - and then birds once it finally sets seed.

For details of courses visit

www.hornbrookmanor.co.uk  

01233 861149

Hello Sunshine

      

It may be too late to grow Sunflowers from scratch, but they’re a great cut flower and will last a good while

in a vase. ‘Russian Giant’ is the classic tall yellow flower, but there are some dazzling alternatives around. 

You can even sow the seed sold as bird food - there’ll be enough in a bag to grow a field full. 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Second chances

Many of the classic cottage blooms are fading now, but here’s a drastic way to get 

them back. Cut early summer perennials like Geraniums, Lupins and Delphiniums 

right down to the ground once they’ve finished flowering. They’ll soon put on some 

fresh new growth, and with any luck, by the end of the summer they’ll be blooming again.

Contact Jo Arnell for border designs

and garden advice: 01233 861149

jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Tulp 'Ballerina' and purple Honesty

Biennials appear just at the right time to make perfect companions for spring bulbs. If they like you, they'll set seed and pop up every year.

Ladybird books for grown ups

I just love these new Ladybird books, and now can't look at the originals in the same way...

LADYBIRD BY DESIGN

There's an exhibition on at the De la Warr Pavillion in Bexhill all about Ladybird books, featuring original prints and background info.  I read them, and then read them to my children, especially the fairytales.  The titles about actual things are very dated, nostalgic and evocative of a simpler age when children were left to their own devices more and wore homemade clothes and tank tops.  The exhibition's on until May.