Taking Stock of the Garden
Late summer is a great time to take stock of the garden as what has worked well and what hasn’t is still evident and there is still time and opportunity to keep the colour going for another couple of months.
Over the last 10 years my garden has changed and evolved. About 6 years ago I replanted the main central bed, which is on poor chalky soil in full sun, with drought-tolerant plants that like or tolerate a high pH (my garden has a pH of about 8).
I chose Perovskia, salvias, grasses like Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ and Pennisetum, plus Echinacea, Erigeron ‘Sea Breeze’ and Caryopteris (pictured). There’s also a Eucalyptus gunnii, pruned hard every year.
Despite the drought, the garden has performed well. Only the perennials I bought in May with the Tates Rewards offer (4 for £20) on our own nursery perennials, needed regular watering through the heatwave. Pots and tomatoes required daily watering too, and when the water butts ran dry I had to resort to mains water. In time the rains came and filled them almost to the top again, after just one downpour!
Filling the Gaps
In the last couple of years, I have added multiples of Geranium ‘Rozanne’ and Stipa tenuissima to fill out gaps and tie the whole scheme together. Now, silvers, purples and pinks blend beautifully and the garden moves and wafts wonderfully in the breeze.
Of course, there are still the usual challenges: snails enjoy the dahlias, weeds self-seed, and Allium ‘Purple Sensation’ has become a little too enthusiastic – I have to pull handfuls of it out every spring to prevent the foliage smothering other new shoots.
Favourite Plants
This year I forgot to Chelsea chop the Perovskia, so by June it was almost head height but then heavy rain flattened it. I had to add some extra supports to keep it from flopping over the dahlias and salvia. It didn’t stop the bees though, they buzz over the nectar-rich flowers all day. It’s probably my favourite plant in the garden and I love the combination of the soft lavender flowers and silvery stems with the blue-green eucalyptus foliage.
The shady border which is planted with white flowers like Anemone ‘Ruffled Swan’ and Eurybia divaricate (White Wood Aster) and a hint of pink from Persicaria affinis ‘Donald Lowndes’, has not been watered once this year except by the rain. Yet it continues to flourish. None of these plants are listed as being drought-tolerant, simply being in full shade has saved them from the drought. I love the way the white flowers shine in the low light. This is my favourite part of the garden especially as it is really low maintenance!
Designing Gardens with Dogs in Mind
It has been a year of people talking about dog-friendly gardens. Monty Don’s Chelsea Garden got tongues and tails wagging about how best to combine a love of both gardens and man’s best friend. I am particularly taking stock of the garden right now as I am about to be joined by some new housemates for the next 6 months. My mum is coming to stay for a while and her labradoodle Asher is coming too! I am wondering how well the garden will fare with an exuberant young dog with a very waggy tail!
My garden was not created with pets in mind. It is fairly small and has no grass to run or roll around on and has some significant gaps where he could squeeze through the hedge. I’ve also never considered whether any of my plants are toxic to dogs and I’m keen to protect the slow worms living in my compost heaps. Last year I counted more than 15! Asher will need some training to know what to leave alone!
From my research here are the key points for creating a dog-friendly garden:
Create a safe space
Dogs can be escape artists that rival Houdini. Fix gaps with fencing or trellis or create a dry hedge with woody prunings.
Store tools and chemicals such as fertilisers out of the way when not in use.
Make sure your dog has somewhere to cool off and lie in the shade. If you have the space, provide water to wallow in.
Screen off ponds until your dog is used to them and has learned which areas are off-limits. Dog flea treatments are highly toxic to aquatic life and dogs should not be allowed in ponds or waterways for at least a month after spot-on flea treatment.
Paths and Surfaces
Hard surfaces can be helpful to define areas where dogs are allowed to roam. They also help to wear down their claws which reduces the need for clipping. Gravel is generally not suitable as small pieces can easily be swallowed and sharp edges can cause cuts and abrasions on paws.
Grass and lawns provide space and a comfortable surface for dogs to play on, but choose a hard wearing variety and don’t expect to have a bowling-green style lawn. Training your dog to use a designated area for toileting will prevent yellow patches.
Be mindful of grass seeds as they can get stuck in dogs paws and cause irritation. Avoid artificial grass as it can get hot enough to burn paws and cause heatstroke in dogs.
Play Time
Dogs love to play and explore outside. To prevent them running riot through a precious flower bed create a specific play zone for them with their toys and water bowl. Spend time with your dog playing in that area to reinforce the zone as theirs.
Protect borders by defining the edges with robust plants like herbs or lavender. Add a sturdy shrub at a corner. This forces a dog to go around, rather than cut across, a corner.
Provide your four-legged friend with sensory areas to explore. It keeps them stimulated and staves off the boredom that can lead to destructive behaviour. Use scented, sturdy plants like thyme and lavender, which can tolerate curious noses. Hide some of their favourite treats in areas they are allowed to roam.
Dog-friendly Plants
Dogs use their sight, noses and mouths to investigate the world. They may explore a garden by chewing plants. Give your dog a chew toy in the garden to reduce the likelihood of plant chewing.
Dogs mainly see blues and yellows, so plant these colours in areas where dogs have free. Cornflowers, pansies, marigolds, rudbeckia and Geranium ‘Rozanne’ would all be good choices.
The HTA have a useful downloadable guide of toxic plants. Don’t rely on plant labels as suppliers are not required to state toxicity.
Diggidy Do – Diggidy Don’t!
Dogs are renowned for their love of digging especially if they see you digging. Use the ‘No Dig’ method for your own gardening. Keep your dog out of the way when you are digging a planting hole. Then protect the loose soil around it afterwards to stop your dog digging it up again.
Raised Beds and Pots – Raised beds are an excellent way to define no-go areas for your dogs and lift precious plants away from wagging tails. Pots should be big and robust enough not to be easily knocked over.
Jobs for me to do before Asher arrives include blocking the gaps in the hedge, moving the potted Agapanthus and chives (both toxic to dogs), cutting the privet hedge and planning where we can take him for lots of walks to burn off energy away from the garden. Wish me luck!
Late Summer Highlights
It is still summer as I write this, with another heatwave just beginning. Late summer is my favourite time of year – it’s about slowing down and enjoying the garden rather than ‘doing’ the gardening. It’s also about harvesting from the allotment every few days and cooking, preserving or sharing the bounty with friends and neighbours
Autumn Planting Favourites
There are still plenty available for late colour. Chrysanthemums are just beginning to flower along with asters (Symphyotrichum) and Japanese anemones. Cyclamen and autumn/winter bedding like violas are now available for replacing your exhausted summer containers.
September and October are also the best time to plant trees, deciduous shrubs and soft fruit bushes — the soil is warm, moist, and perfect for root growth.
Looking Forward to Autumn
When Autumn does arrive, it’s a joy. I love autumn for its dazzling colours and the way the low light catches the tips of grasses and seed heads. I can wear gardening boots with my toes all toasty in cosy socks and drink hot chocolate without feeling guilty.
I love harvesting the pumpkins, making apple crumble and filling the freezer with the last of the summer tomatoes and runner beans.
I love browsing the packets of gorgeous tulips and daffodils and planning combinations of colour for next spring.
The turning of the year and the changing of the seasons is comforting. This year I am looking forward to autumn walks with a gorgeous bouncy labradoodle, exploring the woods at Stanmer or the Sussex Downs – hopefully walking off the hot chocolate calories!
By our resident horticultural expert
