June rain and coming sunshine set to boost flowering garden plants and veg – RHS
June’s weather is proving a boon for gardeners, with plants set to be taller and more ladened with flowers than in recent years, horticultural experts have said.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said prolonged rain, combined with June’s long daylight hours, has seen garden plants surge in growth.
And with a change in the weather forecast to be on the way to warmer, sunnier – but not too hot – days, the horticultural charity’s experts said there would be the “perfect combination” of conditions for garden plants.
The conditions are proving a boon for weeds too – which the RHS said was good for wildlife.
But where weeds have become unwieldy or risk squeezing out garden favourites, they should be hoed or removed by hand while they are still small and vulnerable, the charity suggests.
Guy Barter, RHS chief horticulturist, said: “The timing of the rain couldn’t have been more perfect with UK plants doing the majority of their growing from now until mid-July when the days begin to shorten again.
“While earlier farm crops have already suffered some irreparable damage, gardeners can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their autumn harvest should be bountiful and summer pots and borders filled with colour.”
And he said: “Light levels are currently low and the temperature cool but as soon as the weather turns around in the next week plants will surge in growth.
“I would say that we are set for the best growth of the year.
“Temperatures are reasonable – not too hot and too cool – light levels will be high and day length long making for the perfect combination.”
Late flowering summer blooms will see the greatest benefit, with sunflowers and dahlias potentially reaching heights not seen since the last wet summer in 2020.
And vegetables coming into fruit, such as peas and broad beans will see extended growth and better fruiting, while the moist soil will help establish later-sown plants such as runner beans, RHS director of horticulture Tim Upson said.
“Tall early summer flowering perennials such as Delphiniums and Thalictrum’s (Meadow Rue) will receive an extra boost and will be spectacularly reaching for the sky,” he added.
“Sweet peas will welcome the rain and cooler temperature extending their height and particularly their flowering period – helped by regular dead heading or cutting for the house.”
He also said vigorous climbers, such as wisteria will enjoy the additional dampness, and would likely put on rapid growth.
And he said: “I’ve noticed many trees and shrubs putting on a flush of new growth, so reinvigorating and refreshing our gardens after the heatwaves of May.”
To help make the best of the conditions, gardeners are being advised to stake plants that have grown significantly to avoid them flopping or getting damaged in summer downpours.
They should also cut back finished lupin and delphinium flowerheads and apply a delayed “Chelsea chop” where 30-50% of growth is cut back – usually in late May around the time of the RHS’s Chelsea Flower Show – to plants such as helenium and phlox to encourage sturdier growth and later blooms.
Published: by Radio NewsHub