Plant this
Astrantia is a cottage garden classic for shadier spots with moist soil. The pincushion-like flowers, surrounded by a sunburst of papery bracts, bloom from early to midsummer and look fantastic with salvias and foxgloves. They will spread slowly and self-seed into their favourite spots. The many fine cultivars include Astrantia ‘Shaggy’, with white flowers tinged with green; pink-and‑white ‘Buckland’; and dark‑red ‘Venice’. Height and spread: 90cm x 50cm.
Mulch this
If your container plants are struggling, a blanket of mulch can keep moisture in the soil and suppress weeds. Soak the pots thoroughly beforehand, then apply a thick layer of something biodegradable, such as homemade compost or leaf mould, or a non‑biodegradable mulch such as slate chips or gravel.
Visit this
If you find art galleries a little crowded or intimidating, Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield may be for you. This summer, the 500-acre site hosts Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals, a series of bronze animal heads, and an exhibition of works by Tony Cragg. Details at ysp.co.uk.
