Norfolk School of Gardening advice for gardeners in Norfolk

Apart from watering, we have been busy weeding in the deep shade of the winter garden which tends to get neglected in the spring and early summer, and by now looks a bit wild.

The little Lonicera nitida hedges, which we grew from cuttings and planted a little more than two years ago, had almost doubled in size since we last cut them in the spring, but they definitely needed a trim to maintain their shape.

And we had lots of annual weeds which had blown in over recent months and were about to set seed.

Daft dahlia (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) Now that the weeding has been completed, we need to cut the edges of the beds and we will then add a deep mulch of wood chip.

This part of the garden will then be largely left alone again until we cut back the coloured stems of the dogwood and willow next March.

Elsewhere we have mainly been deadheading and harvesting to keep the flowering and fruiting going for as long as possible.

Dahlias, which have struggled in the heat this summer, have finally got into their stride and it’s important to either pick or deadhead constantly if you want flowers right up to the first frosts.

There are some roses which we are deliberately not deadheading because we want them to develop hips which will be really attractive over the coming months.

Victoria plum (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) These include Rosa glauca and Rosa moyesii, both of which are grown mainly for their beautiful, long-lasting hips.

Sweet peas have really suffered with the hot, dry summer and many are now mildewed.

They are struggling to flower despite being watered and this week we have finally, reluctantly, given up on them and said goodbye until next year.

Happily, the runner beans seem to be loving the sunshine and they have romped away.

Despite being sown very late they are now beginning to fruit and if the number of flowers is anything to go by we will have a huge glut in the weeks to come.

Runner bean vines (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) I may be speaking too soon, but we seem to have succeeded in protecting some of our fruit trees from the deer, and it looks like we will have a bumper harvest of Victoria plums on our little tree in the next week or so.

We will keep you posted!

These are some of the first courses next term which have spaces available.

Let us know if you’d like to join us:

· Introduction to Garden Design – 11th September

· Certificate in Practical Horticulture – 12th September

· Advanced Practical Gardening – 17th September

· Plants for Free – 24th September

· Border Renovation – 1st October

Erigeron karvanskianus on Sissinghurst Castle steps (Image: Norfolk School of Gardening) Plant of the Week

Erigeron karvinskianus, or Mexican fleabane, is a charming slender plant native to Mexico, but has established itself in many Mediterranean areas and dry gardens in Britain.

It has masses of daisy-like flowers with a hint of pink and looks lovely creeping down the sides of stone or brick steps or tucked in wall crevices, where it both seeds itself and also spreads slowly with its rhizomatous roots.

You can also use it in containers with other plants where it will tumble gently over the edge.

The Royal Horticultural Society has given it its prestigious Award of Garden Merit (AGM).

It grows in well-drained soil in full sun.