JULY
IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

ACTION NOW	SOW AND PLANT	IN FLOWER NOW
Feed roses with high potash fertiliser	Brompton Stocks	This is the month when the annuals are in full bloom - from dahlias and chrysanthemums to clarkia, rudbeckia and many, many others. July is the best month of the year for annual colour and scent. The huge range of shrubs in flower includes potentillas, buddleia (butterfly bush), escallonia, hebe, hydrangea, ceonathus - the list is almost endless. Climbers starring this month are many of the clematis, abutilon, climbing roses and the honeysuckle (lonicera japonica).

Water plants in very dry periods - mulch

Take cuttings of garden pinks for flowering next year	Delphiniums

Prune shrubs and keep hedges trimmed

Store tulips which were heeled in earlier in the year Deadhead roses	Perennial Poppies

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Feed roses after their first flush of flowers to encourage a secondary flush. Use any general fertiliser high in potas. Remember also to remove fading flowers (dead head) which will encourage more flowers to appear later.

To cut down on the work of watering, apply a layer of mulch around, but not touching the plants. The mulch can be anything from compost, grass-cuttings, chipped bark or even newspaper covered with soil. It really does keep the moisture in the soil.

Take cuttings from non-flowering shoots - the cuttings should be about 8mm (3in) long. Simply place them in pots full of potting compost and water well. The cuttings should be kept outside in a shady position.

Mock Orange (philadelphus), deutzia and weiglas ahould all be pruned after they have finished flowering. Keep hedges looking good and in control with a trim at this time of year.

If you transplanted any tulips from ground which was needed for summer bedding plants, now is the time to lift and store them. Ensure that all soil is removed from the bulbs and store them somewhere cool, dry and dark, such as the garage. They can be stored in cardboard boxes, with individual bulbs separated by newspaper.

Brompton Stocks (Matthiola incana)
Sow outdoors in the seed bed, 6mm (1/4 in) deep - for flowering next year (biennial).

Delphinium, Delphinium elatum
Sow outdoors in the seed bed, 6mm (1/4 in) deep - for flowering next year (perennial).

Perennial poppy, Papaver alpinum / orientale / nudicaule
Sow outdoors in the seed bed, 6mm (1/4 in) deep - for flowering next year (perennial).

JULY IN THE FLOWER GARDEN

JULY
IN THE FLOWER GARDEN