Barbara Stockitt's Guide to Classic Gardening...

May

BOX or BOXWOOD with its evergreen foliage is a great asset in the garden whatever the season.  It is particularly useful in the winter when there is much less interest in the garden.  In frost and snow it looks particularly attractive.  It is relatively low maintenance and because of these things it has become very popular.  Unfortunately however the care of Box  has been neglected and its cultural needs have not been really understood.  Inappropriate  placement is very common.  We tend to plant Box where our design dictates and we do not consider sufficiently where the plants will thrive.  So if you are planting this month (from containers, you cannot plant open ground stock after the beginning of March) be sure to consider where the plants will thrive.

Check the TAXUS plants are fed  and watered well in containers, and if you hve a newly planted Taxus hedge make sure that it does not dry out.

The most common form of Yew is TAXUS BACCATA, but other forms are available  The golden Yew Taxus Baccata Aurea is beautiful and Irish Yew Taxus Fastigiata has erect branches which are a particularly attractive shape.

In the HERBACEOUS BORDER staking should be continued before the plants have become too large.  The developing growth will hide the stakes and the plant will look more natural..

There is still time to replace any ROSES which have been damaged or killed during the winter.  Use container grown plants, so that the root system is not disturbed.  Keep the soil ball intact and place in the hole and fill with good soil.  Keep the plant watered if planting in a dry spell.

With your SHRUBS and WALL plants apply a balanced fertilizer round the base of the plants, after you have removed any weeds.  Remember to water when necessary any newly planted shrubs.

You should complete the planting of root balled EVERGREEN and CONIFER HEDGES this month.  Water well particularly in dry weather and spray the hedge with water each evening.

When established HEDGES have reached the height required, cut back the leaders (or main stems) by 26cm below the level.

If TULIPS are occupying space needed for other plants, lift the bulbs and heel them into some spare ground. Let the foliage die down, then lift and store the bulbs in paper bags ready for replanting in October or November.

In the VEGETABLE GARDEN sow French beans, but wait until the soil is warm enough.  These seeds will not germinate if the temperature is below 10C.  They need good deep soil and preferably in a wind free position. Runner beans can go in between the middle to the end of the month.

When mowing the LAWN adjust the mower to its summer cutting height and mow more frequently.  Try to vary the pattern of mowing alternatively lengthways and cross ways.  This helps to keep coarser grass and creeping weeds in check.  If there are weeds and very coarse grass in the lawn apply a selective weed killer.