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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Jane Perrone

Gardening tips: plant cottage-garden classics scabious

Scabious make great cut flowers.
Scabious make great cut flowers. Photograph: Alamy

Plant this Scabious are gorgeous cottage-garden classics that do well in containers, throwing out dozens of pincushion blooms in summer. ‘Butterfly Blue’ (pale lilac) and ‘Kudos Pink’ (rose-lavender) thrive in a sunny spot and are drought-resistant once established. Height and spread: 50cm x 50cm.

Prune this Now is the time to prune established stone fruit trees such as plums and cherries. Pruning now, when the sap is up and the tree is growing, reduces the chances of trees being infected by silverleaf. Only remove branches that are damaged, diseased or overcrowded, aiming for an open structure.

Hear this I have had my ears plugged to the Virgin Gardener podcast, which is great for newbies and old hands alike. Presenters Andrew O’Brien and Laetitia Maklouf chat to growers and designers, and offer simple tips to green up your outside space. Listen at laetitiamaklouf.com.

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