June is normally the most floriferous month of the year - roses, shrubs and herbaceous perennials will be at their best this month and, if the end of May has been wet and somewhat chilly, now is the moment to get hanging baskets and annuals that are sensitive to diurnal temperature changes into the garden.
Plants such as Ipomaea, Morning Glory, and Thunbergia, Black Eyed Susan tend to sulk if planted too early. Basil is particularly sensitive to temperature - generally, don't even consider sowing this until mid-June.
Get on top of the deadheading. It is so important if you are to have continued flowering throughout the summer. Roses and herbaceous perennials such as Penstemon and Lychnis will benefit greatly from having dead flowers removed, as will all bedding and basket plants such as Petunia, Geraniums and Diascias. With deadheading should go regular feeding.
June is also one of the best months to take a look around gardens that are open to public with many of the national treasures such as Wisley and Kew looking at their best. Open Garden Squares Weekend (www.opensquares.org) usually takes place in mid-June with over 200 gardens open to explore across 27 London boroughs. The Share Walled Garden in the grounds of Springfield University Hospital in Tooting also takes part in Open Garden Squares Weekend, so come and enjoy a wander through our Bee Lovely Garden and polytunnels brimming with plants to inspire you!
Share Gardening provides garden maintenance and planting services for individuals and businesses, as well as plant sales all year round. To find out more or to get a quote, contact the gardening team on telephone 020 7924 2949 or email gardening@sharecommunity.org.uk.