Life

The great outdoors – summer tulips in full bloom

Summer tulips
Summer tulips Summer tulips

Tulip

Last year I decided I didn't have anything like enough tulips in my garden and now I am reaping the rewards of my late autumn plantings, both in pots and in the borders. Sizzling orange triumphs are dazzling in patio pots, almost black Tulipa 'Queen of Night' are coming up among burnt orange and vibrant yellow wallflowers and cool cream tulips are providing an element of calm in my semi-shaded front garden. There really is a tulip for every situation, whether you prefer the showy parrot varieties, the classic majestic reds and yellows or the intricate species types which look amazing in rockeries. Tulips should be planted in late autumn or early winter, three to four times the depth of the bulb, a few centimetres apart, in full sun and avoid wet conditions. On heavy soil add grit.

WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK

:: Sow late-flowering annuals, herbs and vegetables including early carrots, runner beans and parsnips.

:: Continue to harden off summer bedding plants, but if you live in a cold area, don't plant them out for a few more weeks.

:: Stake and support stems of herbaceous perennials including delphiniums and peonies.

:: Continue to water trees, shrubs and border plants that you have planted this spring.

:: Regularly spike over border soil with a fork to relieve compaction and remove weeds.

:: Give acid-loving plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas and pieris a feed with a fertiliser formulated for them, to prevent leaves turning yellow.

:: Spread a layer of well-rotted compost around perennials.

:: Finish planting out sweet peas and tie in new growth.

:: Sprinkle the base of all roses with a generous handful of rose fertiliser.

:: Pinch out tips of broad bean stems to remove the soft growth which blackfly love.

:: Transplant young Brussels sprouts raised from earlier sowings to their final permanent positions.