While many Britons tackle their gardening tasks at the onset of Spring, June remains a pivotal month in the gardening calendar.
With the threat of frost finally behind us, this is the ideal time to plant heat-loving flowers and ensure your garden flourishes throughout the summer.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), two of the best flowers to incorporate into your garden displays in June are cannas and dahlias.
Originating from Mexico, dahlias thrive in warm conditions and are particularly sensitive to frost.
Cannas, vibrant and tender perennials, produce striking flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink.
Both these flowers are ideal for June planting to infuse your garden with vibrant colors.
The RHS advises: “June is the best month to consider planting out summer beddings and seed-raised plants.
“Ensure they are well-watered and keep them moist during dry weather. Plant out cannas and dahlias once the danger of frost has passed.”
For those aiming to cultivate giant flowers or cut flowers, the RHS recommends nipping out the smaller flower buds behind the central larger bud.
This practice enhances the size and quality of the flowers.
However, this step is not necessary if you are growing dahlias purely for border displays.
Additionally, gardeners should consistently deadhead their cannas during the blooming season to encourage continuous flowering.
Guy Barter, chief horticultural advisor for the RHS, highlights the importance of fertilizing new plants in the vegetable garden and bedding in June.
“New plants in the vegetable garden and bedding or container plants need to do most of their growing in June while light levels are high and temperature constraints lowest,” explained Barter.
“Fertiliser will help them make the most of this light for good results later in the summer.”
Regularly watering your plants to keep them moist, especially during dry spells, is crucial in June.
Deadheading spent flowers from your cannas to promote new blooms and applying fertilizer to new plants to support their growth during this critical period of high light and optimal temperatures are essential steps.
