Oh the capriciousness of the British weather! I was feeling happy that proper rain had fallen after weeks without any – and then it goes and spoils it all by whipping up 60mph winds that have left shredded tulip tree leaves all over the garden. Fortunately I went around tying dahlias, sweet peas etc to their supports yesterday, so with any luck the damage will be mainly cosmetic – nothing a broom won’t sort out.
This delicate daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus) is smothered with pink and white flowers from June until September. Once established, it will self-seed happily in crevices in paving or in walls. Woottens Plants are offering ninestrong plants in 9cm pots for £23.76 (normally £29.70) www.woottensplants.co.uk
Early birds can catch some extra special deals from Wiggly Wigglers, the award winning natural gardening company. Each day they sell a limited number (sometimes only 1 or 2) of something from their catalogue at a generously discounted price. Get advance notice of what’s on offer by signing up for discounts. www.wigglywigglers.co.uk
The Green Gardener has great savings on ladybirds at the moment. With the recent warm weather there are lots of aphids about for them to eat so it is an ideal time to release them into your garden. Order 25 Adult Ladybirds and receive an extra 25 free, saving £14.99. Buy 100 Adult Ladybirds (2 tubes of 50) for £29.98 and save £25.02. For full details of this and other offers go to www.greengardener.co.uk
French Gardens Today runs top notch garden tours in Normandy and Brittany. The gardens are of the highest quality and many do not open to the general public. The tours are led by Clare Whately who has a nose for a fine garden and seemingly magical powers of persuasion – not only do the owners open their gardens for her, they act as hosts and guides and some even host lunches for the group. There are two tours in September – an all-inclusive weekend from Friday the 10th to Monday 13th in Lower Normandy and the Cherbourg Peninsula, and an Independent Weekday Tour from Tuesday 14th to Friday 17th on the Cotes d’Armor on the north coast of Brittany.
Chateau de Vauville
Posted in Places to Visit
