Sniff this
The best way to choose roses for your garden is to see them in full bloom, and sample their scent. Now’s the time to do it: try Borde Hill’s rose garden in Haywards Heath, West Sussex. It features more than 75 varieties of roses in shades from pure white to deepest red. See bordehill.co.uk for details.
Spread this
If grass cuttings clog up your compost bin, put them to work on your vegetables. Tomatoes, courgettes, beans and potatoes will all benefit from a mulch of clippings: they help to smother weeds, keep soil moist and add organic matter to the soil. Just avoid any material from lawns treated with weedkiller. No lawn? Try strulch (strulch.co.uk), a mineralised straw mulch that slugs hate to cross, instead.
Plant this
When people ask for a tough, evergreen, drought-resistant perennial with pretty flowers, I suggest thrift. Armeria maritima ‘Alba’ is covered with white pom-pom blooms from May to July. Height and spread 25cm x 50cm. Buy a one-litre potted plant for £9.99 or two for £16.99 (plus £4.95 p&p per order). To order, call 0330 333 6790 quoting ref GU547, or go to our Readers’ Offers page. Despatched within four to six weeks.
