inTHE GARDEN- WITH HEVER CASTLE |
May is one of my favourite months in the gardens here at Hever Castle. Everything feels fresh, full of energy and changing almost daily. If you visit at the beginning of the month and return a couple of weeks later, you’ ll notice just how quickly the garden evolves. With longer days and warmer soil, plants are putting on strong growth and the garden is beginning to shift from the softness of spring into the abundance of early summer.
Rhododendrons and azaleas at their best Our rhododendrons and azaleas are now coming into their own, bringing bold colour to the garden. These plants thrive in acidic soil and dappled shade, which makes them ideal for woodland settings.
Top tip: If you grow rhododendrons or azaleas at home, avoid planting them too deeply and use ericaceous compost if your soil is alkaline. After flowering, deadhead spent blooms to keep plants looking tidy and encourage strong growth for next year.
Wisteria in full flow May is peak time for wisteria, and you’ ll see it cascading beautifully across walls and pergolas around the grounds. It’ s a real showstopper, but it does require careful management.
Top tip: Wisteria needs pruning twice a year to flower well. If you haven’ t already, you
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can still tie in new shoots now to keep the plant under control and encourage flowers to hang down where they can be enjoyed.
The first roses begin to appear Although June is the main event for roses, we start to see the first blooms opening in May. It’ s always exciting to see the Rose Garden beginning to stir.
Top tip: Keep an eye out for pests like aphids as temperatures rise. A simple blast of water can often keep them under control. Feeding your roses now with a balanced fertiliser will also help support strong flowering in the weeks ahead.
Herbaceous borders building momentum Our herbaceous borders are filling out quickly, with fresh green growth creating structure and anticipation for what’ s to come. This is an important time for maintenance.
Top tip: Stake taller perennials early, before they flop. It’ s much easier to support plants now while growth is still manageable, rather than trying to fix them later. Also, keep on top of weeding as competition for nutrients is fierce at this time of year.
Late spring bulbs and woodland interest In some areas of the garden, you’ ll still catch the tail end of spring bulbs, while woodland planting continues to provide a softer, more natural display.
Top tip: Allow bulb foliage to die back
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naturally after flowering. It may not look its best, but it’ s essential for feeding next year’ s blooms. If you want to disguise fading leaves, plant perennials nearby to fill the space.
Lawns and edges needing attention With warmer weather and occasional rain, lawns are growing vigorously now.
Top tip: Raise your mowing height slightly during dry spells to avoid stressing the grass, and try to mow regularly to keep a neat finish. Don’ t forget the edges as crisp borders make a huge difference to the overall appearance of a garden.
A time to enjoy – and stay on top of jobs May is a busy month for gardeners, but it’ s also one of the most rewarding. The key is to stay on top of small jobs before they become big ones.
Top tip: Spend a little time in the garden each day if you can. Regular deadheading, tying in, and light weeding will keep everything looking its best without becoming overwhelming.
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