Amateur Gardening – 10 July 2019

Dahlia

special

“Do you think of yourself as an ‘interactive naturalist’? That’s

how Alan Titchmarsh described amateur gardeners at the

launch of the RHS Welcome centre at Wisley (see News,

page 6). It highlights a truism that is not recognised enough:

in towns, cities and villages all over Britain, amateur

gardeners are making a vital contribution to the

environment. We’re not talking about it in trendy

bars or posh dinner parties – we’re out there doing

it by growing plants and creating environments

for insects and other wildlife. Well said, Alan!”

Garry Coward-Williams, Editor

6 JULY 2019AMATEUR GARDENING 3

18

“I’ll show you some great partners
for dahlias,” saysTamsin
Alamy

Cover photograph: Dahlia ‘Collarette Princess’ (pic: Alamy)

22

“The best foxgloves tower above
the others,” saysGraham
Alamy

26

“Brighten your borders with these
fl ame-tinted beauties,” saysAnne
Alamy

28

“Garden-ready dahlias will give
you instant colour,” saysSally
Alamy

Jobs for this week

4

GET SET FOR JULY

Key jobs to get stuck into – plus, essential greenhouse care

8

SUMMER DAHLIA CARE

What you can do about staking, watering, feeding and pests

12

DEAL WITH RAIN AND STORM DAMAGE

One year, drought – the next, rain! Ruth has some tips

13

COMBAT RUSTING AND WILTING

Ruth looks at problems aff ecting hollyhocks and clematis

Great garden ideas

18

PERFECT PARTNERS FOR DAHLIAS

Great perennials that combine to create beautiful displays

22

SIX OF THE VERY BEST: DIGITALIS

Graham Rice reveals the best foxgloves for you to grow

26

HOW TO GROW HELENIUM

Brighten your borders with these colourful blooms, says Anne

28

GARDEN-READY DAHLIAS

Add some ready-grown radiance with these knockout fl owers

32

FROSTY FAVOURITES FOR A WINTER WONDERLAND

What to plant for a blue, white and silver winter display

50

GET THE LOOK: A GARDEN ON THREE LEVELS

Why a small space is no barrier to a multi-purpose garden

Gardening wisdom

10

PETER SEABROOK

Shrubs can be star performers in your garden, says Peter

14

BOB FLOWERDEW

Timing is vital when you’re harvesting onions, as Bob explains

16

VAL BOURNE’S GARDEN WILDLIFE

Why you should be planting wildfl owers in grassy areas

20

LUCY CHAMBERLAIN’S FRUIT AND VEG

Pull young garlic, plant an edible basket, smart water use

36

ASK JOHN NEGUS

Sickly hydrangea, horsetail horror and scorched maple

41

ANNE’S MASTERCLASS

This week, Anne explains how to rescue an unhappy orchid

45

A GARDENER’S MISCELLANY

This week’s trivia and puzzles are all about chocolate

55

YOUR LETTERS

Smart tool advice, arty readers, Beechgrove disappointment

59

TOBY BUCKLAND

A murky past won’t stop Toby growing his castor oil plant

Garden news

6

LATEST NEWS

RHS opens a new garden centre at Wisley

39

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135 years of practical advice

The World’s Oldest Gardening Magazine

135 years of practical advice

The World’s Oldest Gardening Magazine

135 years of practical advice

The World’s Oldest Gardening Magazine

Amateur

1884

135 years of practical advice special

2019

in towns, cities and villages all over Britain, amateur

gardeners are making a vital contribution to the

environment. We’re not talking about it in trendy

bars or posh dinner parties – we’re out there doing

it by growing plants and creating environments

18

22