Check List

Water any plants showing sign of stress

Include hardy fuchsia in late summer borders

Consider hydrangeas for pot cultivation

Cultivate dahlias for colour into autumns

Make sowings of winter cabbage and lettuce

Prune summer-flowering shrubs, including roses.

Order spring bulbs

Take semi-ripe cuttings.

 August is a time of transition between secure days of summer and the onset of autumn, and borders do not need to be dull. Already late flowering perennials are making a show and colourful annuals have many weeks yet to run.

Temperatures often remain high and some plants will show signs of stress. Water only if absolutely necessary, and ensure that water is sufficient to reach and saturate roots. Weeds should no longer present much of a problem, particular if the tiresome but necessary chore of weeding has been carried out regularly during preceding months. Make time to sit and enjoy the garden while summer lasts.

For those living inland, thoughts in August invariably turn to those of the seaside. Gentle blue seas warm golden sands and costal walks.

But for those gardens on the coast life is not necessarily the idyll dreamed of by so many. True a milder climate does allow the gardener to experiment with growing many plants which might well succumb to cold in less favourable areas. Both frost and snow are less of a likely hazard and there is not so much need to be conscious of providing tender plants with winter protection. On the other hand strong salt-laden winds whipping off the sea are capable of causing considerable damage to all but the most stalwart of plants. For this reason the planting of a shelter belt becomes a strategic importance. Initially fast growing conifers may be used as protection for trees which take more time to mature. Later the conifers can be removed.

Shrubs and trees; Late flowering trees and shrubs, of which there is a plentiful supply, contribute a wide range of seasonal colour to the August garden.

Growing Dahlias; Dahlias one of the principal supporter of the late summer garden, are easily grown in open ground. In very warm regions they may be left over winter in position, a mounded heap of compost over the tubers acting as sufficient protection. More often tubers are lifted as soon as frost browns the foliage. When this happens cut off all but 15cm of stem and hang stem down, to dry completely for a few days. Plunge into a box of ash or sand and store free from damp frost and heat.

Semi-ripe-cuttings; New shoots on plants are ideal to take cutting material during August and September. Choose sturdy half mature side shoots, no longer than is necessary, and make a straight cut immediately below a joint. Remove any leaves from the lower half. Dip the bottom of the cutting into hormone rooting powder and insert around the side of a pot filled with suitable cutting compost.

Firm in place; water carefully and place into a cold frame and leave over winter. By spring should have rooted and be ready to transplant into open ground where they may be brought on in a shady area.