Gardener's World with Paraic Horkan NDH

Summer colour from climbers.

Summer colour can be achieved easily from a wide range of summer flowering climbing plants suitable for all gardens including the popular and very fast growing "Scottish flame creepers".

Frame creeper.

One of the most colourful and easiest to grow summer flowering climbers, bright red flowers covers the " flame creeper " from July until late winter.
This is an ideal climber for covering large areas or to grow through existing trees and shrubs as an added splash of colour throughout the summer.
"Flame creepers "are perennial and will provide lots of summer colour on walls, trellis, fencing or through existing large trees and shrubs.

Ask for " tropaeolum speciosum " for bright scarlet flowers or " tropaeolum tuberousm " for Brilliant orange trumpet shaped flowers.
Both varieties are smothered in flowers every summer and so easy to grow.

Colour from clematis.

May is one of the ideal times to plant summer flowering climbers including rose's, honeysuckle and clematis.
"Clematis" and climbers are the soft furnishing of the garden. They contribute a luxuriant, well-appointed effect, adding both height and interest.
Additionally, where used to climb through trees and shrubs they extend the season of the host plant. The introduction of climbers into a small garden, where space is restricted and therefore at a premium greatly increases the range of plants to be grown and extends the colour and interest of your garden.

Whatever the situation, however difficult, a climber is available to meet all but the most impossible of requirements.
Evergreen "ivies ", many with bright, variegated foliage, will often flourish in dry, shady conditions where the soil is poor and thin.
The shelter of a wall will allow many less hardy subjects to be grown with considerable success. One of the best free flowering family of climbers come's from the clematis family.
Many of the summer varieties start flowering in June and continue right up until late summer. Prepare the soil well by adding nursery stock compost or composted farmyard manure to enrich the soil before planting.
Always plant clematis approx six inches deeper than soil level to help protect the root during the summer period.

Clematis require regular liquid feeding to bring out the very best in flower size and colour.

Horkys tip: Wisteria makes a super flowering climber, long racemes of lilac flowers are produced on mass in early summer.
A great climber for larger wall areas or pergolas. Wisteria can be inter planted with clematis or honey suckle.

Inter-planting through other climbers.

"Clematis "are ideal for inter planting through existing climbers to give additional colour and interest over spring and summer.
Climbers like ivy need a touch of summer flower colour to brighten up the dull foliage and add extra colour for the summer period, varieties like "clematis hagley hybrid" give a tremendous splash of colour when mixed with climbing roses like "albertine", "compassion" or "Galway bay".
For scent and colour plant "clematis beauty of Worcester" with a "Dutch honeysuckle" which will both intertwine providing you with lots of summer colour and a heaven scent.

"Clematis" can also be inter planted with existing shrubs to give additional colour, or inter-planted through existing hedges such as "escallonia", "grisilenia" or "beech".
The clematis will use the hedge for support and reward you with lots of summer colour until early autumn.
Look out for "Clematis Mrs N Thompson" , "C. Montana Rubens" for spring colour and "C. Asao" for lots of summer bloom.

Horkys tip: summer flowering clematis can be grown in large tubs filled with Westland nursery stock compost, if watered and liquid feed throughout the summer.
Under plant with summer flowering bedding including "begonias", "busie Lizzies", "geraniums" and "petunias".

Soil preparation for clematis.

Prepare the soil well by adding Westland organic compost, dig it well into the planting hole mixing it with your existing soil.
Plant the clematis 6 ins deeper than its original soil mark. Water well and feed every two weeks with algoflash liquid feed.
Spread the branch structure laterally to create as much of a spread as possible and finally apply a mulch of Westland organic compost, which keeps the roots moist and feeds the plant throughout the summer.

Horkys tip: remember all the clematis family are hungry feeders so regular feeding is important.
Top-dress your existing plants with Westland organic compost and liquid feed with algoflash fertiliser.

Sweet scent this summer.

Summer flowering honey suckles are always a good choice. The beautiful sweet scent is carried from July to late September.
"Honeysuckle" grows and establishes very quickly and is ideal for all soil types.
Two of my favourite varieties include "lonicera x heckrottii " a super summer flowering climber bright orange flowers with a purple flush. The sweet scent on this variety is one of the very best.
"Lonicera" is an ideal plant to include through existing climbers or large shrubs or to cover bare or unsightly walls or fences.

"Lonicera belgica" commonly referred to as the Dutch honey suckle is another vigorous and worthwhile climber very good in all gardens.

Horkys tip: plant summer flowering climbing roses now including the beautiful scented patio climbers which are ideal for all sized gardens and perform well even in their first year with repeat flowers and super sweet scent. Patio climbers are ideal for growing out of containers.

Remember Horkans Garden Centre is open seven days a week, Sun two to six. horky@iol.ie

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