Flower Gardening

Flower gardening is a wide ranging activity which embraces the growing of decorative shrubs, roses, bulbs, herbaceous perennials, annuals and bedding. All respond to well prepared free-draining soil and a regular maintenance programme where attention is paid to detail.

Pests and Diseases

A regular spraying routine can do much to prevent the occurrence of most pests and diseases which afflict popular garden flowers. An early spring start with spraying is desirable, although it is rarely ever too late in the season to begin. Many gardeners are rightly concerned about the use of modern insecticides and fungicides. However, those that are both systemic in their action and inactivated when they fall upon the soil can be commended.

Systemic pesticides are absorbed by the foliage of the plants and then translocated around the sap stream. Once a fungal disease starts to attack or an insect pierces the plant tissue and begins sucking the sap it is destroyed. Of course not all insects are sucking, caterpillars and weevils tend to chew. These can be most effectively controlled by a contact killer such as insecticidal dust. These are often based upon natural plant derivatives.

Similarly some fungal diseases do not respond to systemic fungicides and contact products based upon copper are the only way to deal with them. Apart from spraying, much can be done to control insect pests and fungal diseases by way of garden hygiene. A number of pests and diseases live equally contentedly on weeds and their removal can eliminate the source of reinfestation or reinfection.

Dead heading and Disbudding

As blossoms fade it is important to remove them before they have an opportunity to produce fruits and set seed. Not only do faded flowers look unsightly, but they can encourage fungal diseases and provide cover for insect pests. Plants that naturally flower continuously do so much better when regularly tidied up, especially roses and those perennials such as lupins and delphiniums which have the ability to produce another flush of blossoms. Delphiniums are often thought to only have a single season of flower, but if tidied up promptly they produce respectable second flushes of blossom.

Dahlias, chrysanthemums, roses and indeed any other plants where individual specimen blossoms are desired must receive regular attention. Inspect each growing point where flower buds are forming. When they have developed remove all except the strongest on each stem. This ensures even growth and high quality blossoms. Be sure in the case of large flowered plants like dahlias and chrysanthemums that they are well supported. The weight of foliage and large blossoms after heavy rain is considerable and there is nothing more disappointing than a plant which has become detached from its support and is lying on the soil. It is rarely possible to tie such a plant back successfully.

Hanging baskets and planters

Once the plants become well established the compost is completely congested with roots and so soaking thoroughly with water is not always easy. It also soon begins to run short of nutrients and therefore regular feeding is essential. A standard liquid tomato feed is ideal as it is rich in potash and encourages the continuance of flowering. It also toughens up the growth of plants like geraniums and fuchsias which are eventually going to be over-wintered, reducing the likelihood of them rotting in store.

The regular manicuring of hanging baskets and containers is essential. This not only involves the removal of faded blossoms, but dead leaves and untidy growths as well. Wherever necessary pinch back shoots to ensure a neat and tidy appearance. As the summer progresses some plants may become completely exhausted, especially within the confines of a mixed hanging basket. Do not persist with lost causes, but remove them and allow other plants to fill the space. Often the discrete thinning of a basket or planter once well established will be its salvation.

Hoeing and Cultivating

The use of the hoe or cultivator is vital for weed control. The hoe is the most useful tool for removing weeds. The Dutch hoe or push hoe has a flat blade that more or less lies horizontal to the soil. It is pushed towards the weeds, cutting them off at ground level. The action is of push and withdraw. This is a very swift way of dealing with young weeds, especially in and amongst plants. Some gardeners like to create a dust mulch. This is a shallow layer of finely cultivated soil which is regularly moved, but also serves as a moisture conserving layer.