MOST gardeners have heard of the Chelsea Chop.
Named after the May flower show, it’s where you cut back perennials late Spring before flowering to make sure they bloom for longer.
But there’s another way to make your flowers flourish – it’s called the Hampton Hack, and you should be doing it right now.
Also named after an RHS show, it involves cutting early summer flowering herbaceous plants after their first blooms – back to just above ground level.
This encourages new foliage and flowers.
And be brave – just use shears to cut back the whole plant, you don’t need to worry too much about being too accurate.
Just remember to water and feed well afterwards.
One of the flowers that benefits most from the Hampton Hack – which brings a whole summer of colour and joy to your outside space, is the Salvia.
And if there’s one expert to get advice from when you’re thinking about growing your own – it’s William Dyson – curator at Great Comp gardens near Sevenoaks, Kent.
Responsible for bringing Hot Lips to the nation, he’s been growing and experimenting with Salvias for 30 years – and has a specialised nursery on site with more than 250 different types.
“They’re just the best plant,” he told me.
“There’s aromatic foliage, a long flowering period from May to November and there’s a massive range of colours.
“From purple, red, pink, cream, orange and everything in between.
“Plus they’re an environmentally sound source of food for bees.”
Sadly, it seems one of my favourites, Hot Lips, has fallen out of fashion.
William’s new favourites are cultivars ‘Naomy Tree’,’Day Glow,’ ‘Pink Pong’, ‘Cool Cream’ and ‘Jezebel’.
Although Salvias can be found all over the world – Central, South and North America, Europe and Asia, William reckons the best choice for a hardy UK plant that will overwinter, is the Mexican.
“The shrubby salvia’s grow in a sunny position, in well drained soil, with plenty of light, and air movement – and because they’re high up, they’re used to lower temperatures, which is great for the UK,” he added.
“They’re also very easy to look after, and very easy to take cuttings from.”
If you want to see the Salvia’s in full force – including William Dyson’s rare cultivars – visit the Great Comp Garden show, which runs from August 10-11.
It’s garden’s biggest event of the year – at it’s absolute peak of colour. For more information visit www.greatcompgarden.co.uk
Top tips, news and ten lucky readers can win a Wilkinson Sword Bow Saw
NEWS! Dobbies Garden Centre has a free Little Seedlings Club workshop on Sunday 4 August, Show and Tell and Growing. Kids aged 4-10 will learn about the various stages of plant growth, the importance of plants, hints and tips on how to grow healthy plants, followed by a special show and tell session to celebrate the children’s efforts at home.Children will also discover the different parts of the plant and their roles, and explore the diverse habitats where plants can grow. For more information visit www.dobbies.com/events
NEWS! RHS Tatton Park Show has a new Career Changers category – created specifically for new designers, plantspeople and contractors aged 31 and over to help kick-start their careers in horticulture. The first ever Gold medal winner in this category is Chris Reynolds – a former police officer.
WIN! I’ve got TEN Wilkinson Sword Deluxe Bow Saws to give away – worth £19.99 each – which are perfect for tree branches! Enter HERE or for more info visit www.thesun.co.uk/BOWSAW or write to Sun Bow Saw competition, PO Box 3190, Colchester, Essex, CO2 8GP. Include your name, age, email or phone. UK residents 18+ only. Ends 23.59GMT 03.08.24 T&Cs apply.
SAVE! GET hacking with this pair of shears from Spear and Jackson, £39.99 from B&Q, or get Amazon’s version for £9.95
TOP TIP! IF you’re struggling with ants – sprinkle cinnamon around the problem areas. It won’t kill them but should put them off and send them elsewhere.
THIS WEEKS JOB! Pinch out tomato side shoots – and cut off leaves covering the fruits. This means more sunlight will get to them and improve airflow – preventing disease.
