September

In the last Weston News using plants to help secure your home was mentioned, prickly planting around vulnerable areas such as boundaries or under windows can be useful. Some suggestions of plants to consider as hedges or barriers are:

Pyracantha: Cultivars such as ‘Orange Glow’ are large evergreen shrubs suitable for wall training or hedge. White flowers in early summer followed by orange berries in Autumn. Thorny branches. Has a height and spread of around 4 x 3m. Some cultivars can be clipped and maintained as a low hedge.

Berberis ottawensis superba: Use as a hedge or an individual shrub. Deciduous barbed plant with purple foliage. Yellow flowers in Spring. Reaches 1.5-2m tall.

Berberis julianae: Prickly evergreen shrub with shiny dark leaves. Yellow flowers in Spring. Grows 1.2-2.5m tall. Other Berberis species and cultivars are also available and most are prickly.

Ilex aquifolium: The common holly. Evergreen shrubs for hedging or as individual specimens. There are other species and cultivars, some with good variegated leaves, available. Plant in sun or shade. Females produce berries when males present. Some cultivars are more prickly than others. Holly can be kept clipped as a low hedge.

Climbing and rambling roses: Useful for walls and fences. There is a wide selection of colours and habit available with heights from 2.5m.

Rosa rugosa: Fragrant old-fashioned rose – densely prickly for hedges or individual shrubs. Has a height and spread of one to two metres. Normally deep pink flowers, but a white form is available, with good hips in the autumn. Makes a tall hedge.

Rosa rugosa 'Blanc double de coubert': White fragrant Old Fashioned Rose - densely prickly for hedges or individual shrubs up to 2m high.

Most of these will need pruning at least annually, more often if you want a clipped look.

Rosa rugosa can also make a good wildlife hedge mixed for example with holly, hawthorn and blackthorn.

September is a good time to collect seed from both annuals, perennials and even some shrubs. On a dry day cut off the seed heads and place in paper bags. Leave in a warm dry place until the seeds drop out. Store the cleaned seed in labelled envelopes in a cool dry place ready for next spring. If you have any unusual plants or a free flowering strain for example why not save some seed now to swap next year.

Don’t forget the Malvern Show right at the end of the month.

CAF