Floors Castle Garden Centre, Kelso, Scottish Borders: Things to do in September

Plant of the Month: Penstemons

Often regarded as being tender, these shrubby perennials will survive most winters. Look out for the narrow-leaved varieties, as these are the hardiest sorts. Tubular flowers in shades of pink, red, purple and blue last from mid-summer right through to autumn, particularly if helped by regular dead-heading. Look out for the varieties "Sour Grapes" (Pale blue), "Raven" (Deepest purple). Garnet (Rich Red) and Tubular Bells Rose (Pink).

Tip of the month:

Apply Vitax Sulphate of Potash to half-hardy shrubs and to roses, to help ripen the wood in preparation for winter, making the
plants less prone to frost damage or disease.

Gardening Tasks:

Ö		Usually a good month for planting trees and shrubs, when the ground is still warm and damp.

Ö		Continue to dead-dead herbaceous plants and make a note of which need splitting up later.

Ö		Replace weary summer bedding plants with a cheerful mix of winter primulas, violas and pansies. Violas do better than pansies on more exposed sites.

Ö		Plant spring flowering bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips and iris. Try dwarf daffodils such as "Jetfire" and dwarf tulips such as "Red Riding Hood" in containers for a vivid splash next spring. Combine Iris reticulata and snowdrops for an pretty early show.

Ö		Sow grass seed on prepared ground, or for a quicker result lay turf if conditions permit.

Ö		Harvest and store marrows, courgettes and tomatoes.

Ö		Cut down fruited blackberry canes to just above ground level.

Ö		Gather herb leaves and seeds for drying.

September Events at the Garden Centre:

Awaiting event details.