June Week 1

The first week of June already! We are fast approaching the longest day and with our days being just a bit longer now than down south we are nearly caught up with them in flowering time season.

I’ve been reflecting this week as it’s 10 years since the beautiful summer I spent working in Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France.

Flower Garden in Giverny

I stayed in accommodation in the village and spent the weeks working in the garden, with weekends visiting Paris and Rouen. The highlight of my time was the much visited garden, the colours were so beautifully matched amongst all the herbaceous perennials and roses and of course the iconic water lilly pond.

I have a number of bearded Iris “Superstition” in my garden, all came from a corm I brought back with me, a seasonal reminder of my time spent with them in France- couper la fleur finie (Deadheading).

Flower Garden, Giverny

Flowers

Iris "Superstition"

June now and everything is coming up roses - Literally! One of the nations (and me) favourite flowers and June is their month. I have a number of roses in my own garden, old roses such as “Roseraie de l'hay” and “Charles de Mills” 1790 to the more disease resistant and perpetual flowering modern varieties by David Austin such as “Gertrude Jekyll” and “A Shropshire Lad”. There is always room in any garden for a rose and their absence is keenly felt in any garden missing such beauty.

Lupins are now in full flow, they do very well with my sandy soil and provide flowers from now till August at least with some good dead heading.

Keep watering containers and bedding plants planted out over the last few weeks and lastly don’t let the weeding get away from you.

Rosa "Charles De Mills"

Vegetables

Outdoor tomato varieties can now be planted outdoors, make sure to give a good watering.

Courgette plants can be planted outside now in sheltered areas.

Keep using and cutting salad crops.

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the compost heap now that it should be a hive of activity and turn it if it is required.

So many things to enjoy this time of year, it truly is a time for flowers of every type, so enjoy your favourite!

The Water lilly Garden, Giverny