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I have been told that I start every Newsletter with a comment on the weather, but to us gardeners the weather is such an important element we need to consider it effects all the time to adjust the work which needs doing. Summer seems to be very illusive this year - just the odd day of good weather before a return to cold and wet or indifferent and dry, but on the whole plants are enjoying the weather and many are growing very strongly so it is good to know something is happy!

Hedges

As a result it is already time to give hedges their first trim as long as you are sure you do not have birds nesting in the hedgerows. If there are you must wait until the fledglings have left the nests. It is also time to trim some of the early flowering shrubs to ensure they remain a good shape. If you trim after the flowers have faded and before new growth gets too long it will encourage the shrub to send out more young branches and thus be bushier and have more flower next year.

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Bedding Plants

It is now safe to put your bedding plants out as there should not be any more frosts, but from experience in past years it is always a good idea to continue to listen for frost warnings and be prepared to cover with agricultural fleece any tender plants if there is a warning. Agricultural fleece is not an expensive product and we would always advise to have some in store for use in an emergency. It will last for years if folded up and stored in a dry area. The bedding tunnels here at the Garden Centre are looking and smelling wonderful at the moment, so if you have not grown your own plants do come and explore our range.

If you have gaps in your garden there are still bedding plants available which will fill them for this summer. Here are a few suggestions - Double Flowered Impatiens which are great for a semi-shaded area, Non stop and trailing Begonias for tubs and baskets, Geraniums - zonal to fill gaps in borders and for pots and baskets, Petunia Surfinia and Million Bells which flower all through the summer in baskets and pots, Abutilions and Ricinias (false Castor Oil) which are very architectural plants for containers or borders. Argyranthemums will continue flowering until and beyond the first frosts, sometimes into November and December. Lantana, a plant which seems little used here, is versatile and quite late flowering producing masses of balls of flowers which change colour. They are, however, frequently seen in Europe. Finally, Cannas with their large spikes of tropical flowers. These can be lifted at the end of the season and the tubers over-wintered in a frost free place ready for replanting next year. For those who like to grow their own tasty vegetables there are still many available and it is not too late to plant even tomatoes.

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Fuchsias

If you like fuchsias you may be interested to know that Catherine, our grower, now has 165 varieties under propagation, these being a mix of bush and trailing and includes 35 varieties which are hardy. There are plenty of the popular non hardy varieties available including Annabell, Carmel Blue, Hannah, Patio Princess, Southgate, Swingtime, Harry Grey, Miss California, La Campenella, and Winston Churchill. Hardy varieties include Alice Hoffman, Dollar Princess, Genie, Lady Thumb, Tom Thumb, Mrs. Popple, Son of Thumb and Snowcap. Some more unusual varieties we have with interesting foliage and different flower colour combinations include Firecracker, with green, cream and pink foliage and long orange triphylla flowers, Aubergine, a bush variety with maroon flowers and Golden Marinka, Golden Treasure, Golden Swingtime, Dovehouse and Rebekah Sinton all of which have golden variegated foliage.

Large double flowered American varieties include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Dovehouse, Sunray and Autumnale have interesting foliage; Echo, Rose Fantasia and Twinkletoes all have single flowers facing upwards. Paniculata is a species type with tiny pink flowers on a large bush, Trumpeter is a new trailing triphylla variety with long orange flowers and blue/green foliage. Dorothy Hanley is hardy with maroon flowers on very pale green foliage, Lottie Hobby, Pumila and Waldfee are all hardy varieties with a profusion of tiny flowers. Hawkshead, again hardy, has single pure white and green flowers on strong upright foliage.

This is only a selection of the varieties available now, but next year there will be more new varieties to look out for. Exmoor Woods, Graf Whitte and David will all be hardy, Purple Rain and Laura bush, Boliviana Alba, a species and Snowburner a trailer. So anyone who already has a passion for fuchsias would be well advised to come and have a browse, and those who are not yet 'hooked', here is the perfect place to see what you are missing!

Later in the summer, for those who can over-winter plants, the fuchsias will be sold off at three for the price of two.

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Plants for the Golden Jubilee

If you are looking for a plant to put in to commemorate the Queen's Golden Jubilee, do come and look at our Jubilee displays which are full of stunning golden plants. One which really catches my eye is Cotinus coggygria Golden Spirit with its rounded golden leaves and new leaves tinged purple. Without pruning it will reach 8x6ft (240x180cm) in ten years, but if you have restricted space it is very happy being pruned back. This planted near to Cotinus coggygria Rubrifolius, with its rich purple foliage would be quite a stunning mix. Other good golden foliage shrubs are the well tried and tested Sambucus racemosa Sutherland Gold with its dainty deeply cut bright golden foliage, and the new Leycesteria Golden Lanterns.

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New Roses

If you are needing some new roses for your garden now is a good time to come and look as many are in flower. New from the UK breeder Chris Warner are Miniature Climbers, which are a new possibility for your garden. They have a strong disease resistance and they take little maintenance. They will be covered with miniature flowers and shiny foliage from the base to the top of the plant from summer to autumn. They need a sunny position and will grow to 8-9ft (240-280cm) high with a spread of 3-4ft (90-120cm) in about 5 years time.

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Sudden Oak Death

On the less happy side of the horticulture world, a pathogen known as phytophthora ramorum has been causing 'Sudden Oak Death' in California and Oregon. This pathogen is known to affect three Oak varieties, agrifolia and kellogii, which are grown in this country but in limited numbers, and parvula var. shrevei which I believe is not grown here. However, it also affects Rhododendron and Viburnum species, and can be found on other limited range of plants. The government has put a ban on the import of susceptible plants and has made over 650 inspections and has issued warning to nurseries throughout the country with details of what to look out for, so hopefully it will not cause problems here. We have more information on this and will happily give more details to anyone.

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BBC Gardener of the Year

Back to happier matters - does anyone in the area feel they are up to the challenge of the 'B.B.C. Gardener of the Year'? It would be good to see a local person competing for this prestigious title! If you feel confident enough to 'have a go' you need to get an application form, either by sending an A4 SAE to:

• BBC Gardener of the Year 2002, Room 315, BBC Birmingham B5 7QQ or
• by e-mailing your name and address to: GardenerOfTheYear@bbc.co.uk
• the BBC's web site at: www.bbc.co.uk/gardening, but the closing date is 8th July.

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Furniture and Garden Lighting

If the weather turns to summer (heat wave predicted for August) you may need some comfortable and elegant garden furniture to enjoy a meal outside. With garden furniture, you do, to a very large extent 'pay for what you get'. Quality nearly always costs money, but of course, it will last a lifetime - or longer! We have a good range in at present from a meranti set which consists of a round table, four folding chairs with seat cushions and a matching parasol for £199. We also stock the 'top of the market' ranges produced by Alexander Rose and Bridgman, and some very good 'middle of the market' sets, as well as the ever popular conversation seats and arbour swing seats. Come and have a browse around, or find more information on our web site.

One other essential element of the 'evening' garden is lighting. Apart from a range of good quality electric garden lights, we have many means of lighting the garden. Some very pretty containers to put on shepherd's crooks which house candles. A new line which are proving popular are large round ceramic balls in natural terracotta through to glazed colours. These contain a holder for oil with a wick, so by burning a lamp oil containing citronella you will keep insects at bay as well as creating an unusual light feature.

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Aquatics News

1) Jasper Parrot!

In the Aquatics department a new member of the team has arrived - Jasper who is an African Grey Parrot. He is still young so is very inquisitive and lively, and at times very noisy, but he has not learnt to talk yet, but is very good at letting you know his feelings!

2) Outdoor Ponds

At this time of the year we should be thinking about care for the outdoor ponds in hot weather, but this year the normal warm water problems have not arisen yet. However, summer may come so be prepared. Make sure pumps and filters are clean and working properly, then your fish will not run out of oxygen. Also it is advisable to have floating plants on the surface to give shelter from the sunlight. Water Soldiers, Water Lettuce or Water Hyacinths are ideal for this. Also it is a good time to plant marginal plants such as Mysotis, Veronica and Irises.

3) Marine Fish

Visitors to the Aquatics Department seem to spend a lot of time looking at and asking about the marine displays. A marine tank it not the easiest thing to set up, but it really is worthwhile. There are so many fascinating forms of life to be introduced into such a tank and the colours on the fish, corals and other creatures are almost unbelievable. Do pop in and have a look next time you visit - I am sure you will not be disappointed.

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Craft Fair

A good day to come will be on 30th June or 28th July as we shall be holding a Mini-Craft Fair on those days. Four local craftsmen and women will be setting up their stools amongst the bedding plants for the day. There will be a lady with découpage cards Theresa Mela, Liz Marvin with hand made jewellery, Roz Harrison with hand painted tiles and silks and Derek Stimson with picture frames and framed prints. Both Theresa Mela and Roz Harrison will be demonstrating their arts on the day. I have already seen a sample of the découpage cards and they are beautiful, so I would thoroughly recommending coming to the Mini-Craft Fairs. If these prove to be a success we may make it a monthly Fair and increase the number of stall holders.

Well, that is all for now and as Alan Titmarsh would say 'whatever the weather, enjoy your gardening!'

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Newsletter Supplement: Autumn Bulbs